He played junior hockey for the Regina Pats of the Western League. Derkatch was the league leading rookie in 1981-82 and the league leading scorer and most valuable player in 1982-83. He also on the bronze medal winning Canadian team at the 1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Despite his impressive junior stats, Derkatch was only chosen 140th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. The reason for that was his short height - only 5'5. He played his entire career in Europe, retiring in 1998. Derkatch became a coach at Athol Murray College.