Derian Hatcher isn't sure if there is a ring on the way for his accomplishments in the World Cup, but it doesn't matter. What he already has gained from the experience, in his own words, is "unbelievable."

Hatcher and Mike Modano have rejoined the Stars after playing on the first U.S. team to defeat Canada and win the World Cup (formerly called the Canada Cup). Hatcher scored three goals in the two-games- to-one championship series win over the Canadians, but it was his rock-steady play on defense that earned him praise from all over.

"It was a better experience than I ever thought it would be, just unbelievable," said Hatcher.

"Playing with [the Rangers' Brian] Leetch was great, and [Anaheim coach] Ron Wilson showed a lot of confidence in me throughout the tournament."

When the Canadians sent Eric Lindros and Brendan Shanahan onto the ice, Wilson would regularly counter with the defensive pair of Leetch and Hatcher. Stars general manager Bob Gainey, who served as an adviser for Team Canada, predicted a strong series for Hatcher.

"After watching every game the Americans played [in the first round], I gave a report to our team that said in order [for Canada] to win, Derian Hatcher had to not be a great player. He was playing with a lot of confidence," Gainey said.

Hatcher and Modano weren't the only Stars performing in the tournament. New right wing Pat Verbeek played for Canada but was regularly scratched. New defenseman Sergei Zubov played for Russia. Right wing Jere Lehtinen competed for Finland, and Roman Turek was the goaltender for the Czech Republic.

The foreigners weren't quite as high on the experience as Hatcher and Modano. Said Zubov, "We had a lot of individuals. We did not have a team."

While the Stars are just now getting their entire group together and the season opener is but 10 days away, coach Ken Hitchcock is quite happy with the World Cup setup.

"I think it was important for those players to see that there is another level," he said, referring to the high quality of play. "That served as a great training camp for all of those guys."

Hatcher now seems ready to get his NHL career back on track. He appeared bound for stardom his first four seasons but struggled on the ice last year with defensive lapses and a lack of physical presence.

"Last year was not representative of Derian's play or his development as a person," said Gainey.

"He's been with us since he was 18, so I think I can speak clearly on that. For him to have the opportunity to play for the U.S. team and play that kind of important role, I think it was good healing for him."

Hatcher agreed with Gainey’s evaluation.

"At the end of last year, I don't know what the right word to use would be, but things weren't the best around here," he said. "To be able to go through this experience right before camp and especially to win it, it's an unbelievable lift for me."

It was just three months ago that Hatcher had something of a letdown, although it was one he expected. His brother, Kevin, was traded to Pittsburgh for Zubov on June 22. The brothers were getting set to go out on their boat in Michigan when Derian answered the phone.

"It was my brother-in-law, and he had just seen . . . that Kevin was traded. I had to go out to the boat and tell him the news," Hatcher said. "But I think we both knew at the end of last year it was coming."

The World Cup gave the brothers one more opportunity to compete together.

Modano said he and other Team USA members were already talking about Nagano, Japan. In 17 months, the NHL will shut down for 16 days to allow its star players to compete for their respective countries in the Olympic Games. "We should be able to have pretty much the same team," said Modano.

Hatcher said a Team USA official spoke to him near the end of the World Cup.

"He told me to start brushing up on my Japanese," Hatcher said.

That's probably one area that needs considerably more work than his hockey game.

© 1996 The Dallas Morning News All Rights Reserved

Tim Cowlishaw / Staff Writer of The Dallas Morning News, WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY: Stars' Hatcher gets career boost while helping U.S. take title., The Dallas Morning News, 09-25-1996, pp 14B.