Ducks Where Are They Now: George Parros A.K.A. The Stache
By Greg Johnson
Once a popular fixture at Honda Center, fans must be forgiven if they don’t want to see The Stache around these parts anymore. But it does make you wonder, what’s been going on lately with our once beloved Princeton grad George Parros?
Parros in Ducks History
George Parros was once a popular figure in the halls of Honda Center. His line was ridiculously long at the annual FanFest event for season ticket holders. Parros had a brief moment of play-making glory when Bobby Ryan was a fourth liner early in Bobby’s career. According to Pucks of a Feather, Parros was part of the best rental trade in Ducks history, even if his involvement meant sitting out after the trade. In 2010, the Ivy League graduate was recognized as one of the 20 smartest athletes in sports. But everyone in the barn was really just waiting to see Parros’ gloves fly off each night.
Where Did He Go?
George Parros kept everyone on the ice honest for the Ducks from 2006 to 2012. But after six seasons in Anaheim, the Ducks lost interest in keeping a true enforcer any longer. So he left as a free agent and signed with the Florida Panthers. After an uneventful season, Florida traded Parros to Montreal for what amounted to a bag of pucks (Philippe Lefebvre and a 7th round draft pick). The Stache retired from the NHL in December of 2014.
Was He Violent?
Why yes he was violent. And The Stache is one of the founding owners, and really the face, of a clothing brand. Violent Gentlemen is based in Costa Mesa. If you see someone wearing VG gear, ask them about George. Or maybe don’t ask them. It’s your life. Either way, you’ll see George’s VG gear at any Ducks game you attend.
Was He a Goon?
Why yes, George Parros was also a goon. He even made a cameo appearance in the 2017 movie Goon: Last of the Enforcers. Let’s hope he reminded everyone he graduated Princeton at the 39-second mark of the official trailer.
No, They Didn’t!
Oh yes, they did. In September of 2016, George Parros took a job in the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. The one-time enforcer was now a part of the team of people handling supplementary discipline for the league. But it didn’t stop there. The Stache got a promotion one year later. He now heads the department. As such, he’s running the department that hands down all the fines and suspensions for the league.
Don’t Come Around Here No More
So why isn’t George Parros welcome in Honda Center anymore? Fans say he betrayed his former teammate and one time iron man, popular Ducks winger Andrew Cogliano. On January 13, Cogliano hit Kings forward Adrian Kempe a little late and high. Fans thought Cogliano had earned some mercy considering his clean history in 830 straight games played. But Parros and his department saw it differently. Cogliano was suspended for two games, ending his streak and leaving him fourth all-time on the iron man list, only 134 games behind all-time leader Doug Jarvis. It seems Ducks fans now consider George Parros a King at heart (He broke in with Los Angeles and played his first full NHL season there).
While you will see signs of The Stache all over Honda Center, don’t look for Parros to be there. He’s not welcome anymore.