Verstraete was born in Calgary Alberta and worked his way through the ranks to the NHL where he played in 8 games with the Maple Leafs over the course of six years.
Verstraete was known as more of an enforcer with him amassing 300 PIMs in 75 games in 1856-56 for the St. Catharines Saints of the AHL. In addition to this, he tacked on 114 PIMs in 11 playoff games that season.
Our thoughts are with his family at this moment. May he rest in peace.