Versteeg chooses to wear No. 10 as a Flyer

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Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Posted: 5:24 p.m.

By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com

TAMPA, Fla.Derek Settlemyre was caught off-guard when Kris Versteeg arrived here from Toronto and was handed his new Flyers jersey.

We had Number 32 jerseys ready for him but he wanted No. 10, said the clubs equipment manager. I had to redo them.

Versteeg, who will make his Flyer debut tonight against the Lightning, wore No. 32 in Chicago and later, Toronto.

The No. 10 sweater hasnt been worn on a regular basis here since John LeClair played.

Why No. 10?

I liked a lot of guys who wore it," Versteeg explained. Pavel Bure, mainly. Its been my number throughout my whole childhood. No. 32 was given to me coming into Chicagogoing into Toronto, too.

Ten was already set in stone (in Toronto) with George Armstrong. Its a new, fresh little start. I might as well start off with something new I felt.

Versteeg is expected to play right wing on Mike Richards line with James van Riemsdyk, although Flyers coach Peter Laviolette would not guarantee that.

Actually, Laviolette said he might move his newest player around during this four-game roadtrip to see where the 24-year-old best fits.

Its almost like training camp where you go through something, Laviolette said. You got something on your mind. Maybe it fits and maybe it doesnt. Ultimately, it goes out to the ice and players find that rhythm. What may work and what may not work. You give it a few games and make adjustments and go from there.

Versteeg, who likes to singhe did his own rap song after the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup over the Flyers last Juneseemed eager and nervous to get going, but promised he didnt plan to sing just yet for his new teammates.

I think I will just try to help out with the depth and just try to play hard every given night and maybe chip in here and there and try to be a pest at the same time, he said when asked what he brings to a Flyers team that is already chasms deep in talent.

Theres a lot of different things, the penalty kill, too. A lot of different things I can try to help out with. Ill try to do them all to the best of my ability.

Any preference of where you play?

It doesnt matter, Versteeg replied. I look at their rosterthis team is so deep and they have so much youth and skillthat it really wouldnt matter. You could go with anybody and create out there and make stuff happen.

Funny thing is, Versteeg was already indoctrinated as to what life as a Flyer might be like before he arrived late Monday night. He had been trading text messages with former Hawks teammates Patrick Sharp and Ben Eager on what life as a Flyer was like for them.

They told me all the great things about playing here and all the good guys in the room, he said. Just hearing re-assurance from guys who have been here and know about it, that made me feel a lot better.

As a Blackhawk, Versteeg played throughout the lineup. Same thing in Toronto, although he was pushed to a top line there and it didnt work out.

It might be, almost at times, they want a first rounder there or stuff like that, he said of Toronto experience. I dont know what else to tell you ... I tried playing with Phil Kessel and it didnt really work out.

I played with some of the third line guys and ended up producing fairly well. I thought I did my part there and tried to play as hard as I could on any given night. If you look at it, they brought in Joffrey Lupul, a guy who basically, did a lot of what I did.

Versteegs versatility was something that appealed to the Flyers.

I definitely think its going to be a lot like it was with Chicago, Versteeg said. It didnt really matter which line you were on there, it was with someone who could produce.

And thats what its like there, theres a lot of special players on this team. Im definitely excited about a fresh new start with a great organization and a great team.

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net

Related: Flyers acquire Versteeg from Toronto Buy Flyers gear

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