Verstraete played eight games in the NHL, all of them for the Maple Leafs, over the course of 10 year career. He played many games in the AHL, for the Newmarket and St. Catherine's Saints, the affiliates for Toronto. In 75 games with the Saints in 1985-86, Verstraete racked up 300 penalty minutes. He is originally from Calgary, and played four seasons for the Wranglers of the Western Hockey League.