A player likeCorson coulddo it all as he was a consistent contributor on the second line for most of his career, while hecould fight with the best of them. Tiger reached the 300-mark for penalty minutes in a season six times during his career, which was primarily played with the Maple Leafs, Canucks, and Kings. However, he had to tone down his act after a fight with Montreal Canadiens forward Sergio Momesso. Barnaby oftentimes ended up on the receiving end of a beat-down, but he did not take a step backwards from anyone as he fought the league's toughest, including his buddy Rob Ray and even Zdeno Chara. Here are the top five enforcers in NHL history. April 25, 2019. Probert finished fifth all-time in career penalty minutes with 3300 in 935 games played. Our program includes full ice mite. Howes most famous fight came against Maurice Richard in a rare battle between superstars that is still widely talked about today. Not bad for a "goon.". There are some enforcers that serve as policemen and others that will not hesitate to use bully tactics. His most famous act of violence was a crushing hit on Irvine "Ace" Bailey, resulting in Bailey sustaining near life-ending head trauma. A fearedplayer like Dale Hunter also cannot be considered because amidst all his penalty minutes and dirty plays, he barely fought. Domi finished his career with 274 fights, but his most memorable did not even count because it came against a Philadelphia Flyers fan that fell into the penalty box. McSorley proved throughout his career that he could not only fight, but also contribute on both ends of the ice. did you know that Simon scored29 goals in the 1999-2000 season? Tiger Williams: The all-time leader in career penalty minutes, Tiger Williams had nearly 4000 penalty minutes in only 962 career games. McSorley was also a participant in an epic 100 second duel with Bob Probert that is one of the greatest fights in hockey history. The Detroit Red Wing even battled his former tag-team partner Joey Kocur. Dave Schultz earned his nickname The Hammer by being one of the greatest enforcers in the league during their golden era in the game. A concussion suffered during a fight with Georges Laraque in 2001 ended Grimsons career, and Grimson he has moved on to fight his battles in the courtroom as a lawyer. Berube had 16 seasons of 100 or more penalty minutes, including 15 straight seasons at one point in his career. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. A List of NHL Tough Guys", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Dave Morissette", "Brantt Myhres hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Former enforcer slams NHL's drug policy - CBC Sports", "Chris Neil Archives - The Hockey Writers", "Gary Nylund hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Gino Odjick Biography, Stats and Pictures", "HOCKEY; Devils' Oliwa Is Not Just Your Average Enforcer - New York Times", "Colton Orr hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Former Avalanche enforcer Scott Parker battling effects of concussions", "Stephen Peat hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Mike Peluso Biography, Stats and Pictures", "Nathan Perrott hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Andrew Peters (b.1980) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Rich Pilon Biography, Stats and Pictures", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Larry Playfair", "Once a rugged power forward, Willi Plett still making living with his hands - The Hockey News", "Rudy Poeschek hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Red Wings' Enforcer Dennis Polonich Never Same After Brutal Attack", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Marc Potvin", "Dale Purinton hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Joel Rechlicz hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", http://canuckslegends.blogspot.ca/2008/10/dave-richter.html, "NHL Player Search - Player - Mario Roberge", "Cam Russell (b.1969) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Terry Ruskowski", "Rick Rypien hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Brent Severyn hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Neil Sheehy", "Jody Shelley hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4938, "Reports: After numerous NHL suspensions, Simon signs to play in Russia - NHL - ESPN", "Reid Simpson hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Greg Smyth (b.1966) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "P.J. O'Reilly set the blue print forthe prototypical Bruins type player and Ex Bruin Milan Lucic has gone on record saying that he's modeled his game after O'Reilly. You can also add any that didn't make the list. At 69 and 250 lbs, he is one of the largest players ever to hit the ice, and you can imagine how dominant he would be in a fight. With a fabulous nickname bestowed upon him, Terry OReilly of the Boston Bruins is a legend of the enforcer role. He finished his career with 1,468 penalty minutes in 749 regular-season games. Some players combine aspects of the enforcer role with strong play in other areas of the game. These men have had a lasting legacy on the sport of hockey and sacrificed immensely to defend their teammates. Fans of todays NHL may not recognize a lot of the names on this list but that is just because the game has evolved so much. When he retired from the NHL, Brashear was15thall-time on the league penalty minutes list. McSorely was charged with assault as a result of the incident and was eventually found guilty. The role of the enforcer has diminished since rule enforcement changed following the 200405 NHL lockout to increase game speed and scoring. After their first bout ended in an OReilly victory, Gillies recovered to wreck OReilly in the second bout, which sparked the Islanders to victory. And while Mr. Lepore laments the fact that the true enforcer is a dying breed in professional hockey (given the unfortunate spate of enforcer deaths in 2011), these men will live forever in the list of the all-time greats in their chosen specialty. For his career, Schultz averaged more than four minutes per game in the penalty box: the highest rate ever. And in his era, refs were just a tad more lenient in their penalty calling. A "Gordie Howe hat trick" is a player scoring a goal, assisting on a goal, and being involved in a fight during a single game.[8]. In the age of NHL Disciplinary Committee reviews and video replay, this role has been diminished, but fighting can still serve as a valuable tool for players to use to motivate their teammates and get the crowd back into a game. Sadly, the fearsome winger dropped dead on a boat on Lake St. Clair of a heart attack in 2010. Who else? Williams led the NHL in PIMs three times during his career, always eager to prove his toughness, often against much larger opponents. Yet fights, both premeditated and spontaneous still break out routinely in hockey games, as players attempt to adhere to The Code that is kept among themselves. Finally, hockey fights can settle scores as there is an unwritten rule that if you made a dirty hit or injured a player, you will have to pay the price at some point. Enforcer is an unofficial role in ice hockey. Talk about consistency! Were going deep into the annals of professional hockey for the number eight entry in our roundup of the greatest enforcers in NHL history. The sport of hockey may now be at odds with the ongoing role of the enforcer in the modern game, but throughout the games history fighting has played an integral role. Hockey is often considered one of the toughest sports to play, but these five players were a cut above in the toughness department. During that time, he watched the back of legends like Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, and Bobby Orr. Probert spent his career split between Detroit and Chicago, but he is best known for his years cruising the ice at Joe Louis Arena, where in 1987, Probert racked up an impossible 398 penalty minutes in one season! Standing at an intimidating 65 and 240lbs, The Grim Reaper took on all comers during his time in the league playing for eight different teams. The bone-crushing Boston native somehow managed to commit 10 penalties in a single contest, spending a ludicrous 42 minutes in the box. Neil is an example to future NHL tough guys: establish your reputation as a hardass as soon as you lace up your skates and head out onto the ice in your rookie season. Rick Tocchet entered the league as one of the most fearsome fighters, quickly racking up two 20 fight seasons in his first three years in the NHL. Gillies served as captain of the Islanders from 1977 to 1979, and won the Stanley Cup four years in a row with them, from 1980 to 1983. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com. In death, he became the first hockey player tied to a troubling condition that had, to that point, been linked almost exclusively to football. This is a list of enforcers who have played in the National Hockey League . Thus, McSorely has the distinction of being the only enforcer to face criminal charges for his on-ice actions. His best years were in Buffalo as he notched career highs in goals (18) and assists (29). Despite his limited ice time, Twist still managed to put up six 10-fight seasons including a career-high 15 fights during the 1992-93 season. In west Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground was where I spent most of my days. Nilan only suited up 688 times in his career. What about John Scott? Following his NHL career, Barnaby has become a television personality and a co-owner of a construction business with former teammate, Rob Ray. Sadly, Probert died of a heart attack in 2010, and his brain was donated to the Sports Legacy Institute, which revealed chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a side effect of his brutal profession. Its only appropriate the NHLs all-time leader in penalty minutes finds his way to the top of the list. And they are underdogs, men who otherwise might have no business in the game. On-ice enforcers struggle to rise through the professional ranks of the world's most prestigious hockey league, only to be confronted with a new found fight for the existence of the role itself. Schultz is renowned as one of hockey's greatest enforcers and holds the NHL record for most penalty minutes in a single season, at 472. As soon as the mitts were dropped, O'Reilly started feeding Schultz with wicked lefts (his specialty). Shane Talarico. Ray used this practice to enormous success during his career until the practice was banned. He would contribute goals to help the Red Wings win two Stanley Cups over a decade later in his second stint with the team and add another as a coach. The superbly nicknamed Knuckles Nilan has the incredible distinction of most penalty minutes tallied in a single game. Men's Ice Hockey Coaching Staff. Most of the enforcers named above were generally considered "nice guys" in their everyday life. The organization has found immediate success - promoting nearly 20 players to college hockey and higher levels of junior hockey. OReilly was fiercely protective of his teammates, but also had a scoring touch that he used to net 204 goals and 402 assists during his career. "Fergy" was the ultimate team guy. Since entering the league in 2001, hes logged nearly 2,300 penalty minutes against just over 233 points. During his ten seasons, he fought 87 times and lifted the Stanley Cup twice. ET; ESPN . I'm sure. David William "The Hammer" Schultz (born October 14, 1949) is a Canadian businessman and former professional ice hockey coach and player. During the 1979-1980 campaign, OReilly accumulated 265 minutes in the sin bin while playing in 71 games. Domi found the net 100 times in his career, but hell be best remembered for accumulating 3,505 penalty minutes in his time in uniform (the third most in NHL history). [1] A year earlier, Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of an apparent heart attack in his mid-40s. Major penalties for fighting declined by 25% annually in the first half of the 20112012 season.[10]. He was so successful at his role and served as an enforcer for so longthat he had a target on his back as he was billed as "the champ." From Montreal, English Lit major. Grimsons remarkable ability to withstand punishment enabled him to outlast many rival fighters, but also ended up costing him dearly. Knuckles was adept enough with his stick to be chosen to represent Team USA at the 1987 Canada Cup, and he was a member of the Stanley Cup-winning 1986 Montreal Canadians. Domi was the epitome of the saying, its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog, as he tipped the scales at 213 lbs and was only 510. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about Ray had 15 straight seasons of 90 or more penalty minutes, including back to back 350 penalty minute seasons from 1990-1992. [7] Some skilled players, such as legends Gordie Howe, NHL all-star Jarome Iginla, and Ryan O'Marra, are also capable fighters and can function effectively as their own enforcer. MAYDAY! Ice Guardians: Directed by Brett Harvey. You'd think May was a 50 goal scorer with the way he deked Ray Bourque out of his jock-strap. Best known for playing with the Detroit Red Wings, Kocur was an intimidating figure with a devastating right hand that he used with great frequency. Standing at 5'11", he was not the biggest guy but he had a crazy chin. Despite these newfound abilities, he continued to fight throughout his career racking up 173 fights in terms with the Flyers, Kings, Penguins, Bruins, Caps, and Coyotes. An update to yesterday's Watch List: New Teams that have clinched playoff berths since yesterday. The cliche is the hockey player's jack-o'-lantern smile, the specter of missing teeth that no other pro sport embodies as much as the NHL. Who is the greatest enforcer of them all? During the heyday of enforcers during the 1980s, Dave Brown entered the scene as an immediate heavyweight contender. Brashear has also participated in boxing and MMA matches, utilizing his considerable hand skills off of the ice. Domi was a formidable enforcer in the 1990s, amassing an incredible 347 minutes in the penalty box during the 1993-1994 season. Retired enforcer Georges Laraque has suggested that the National Hockey League Players' Association provide counselling to enforcers. Well-regarded during his time in pro hockeys top circuit, Williams could also tally points. Its one of the unique elements of the most popular sport played on ice that teams carry goons on their rosters whose primary duty is to maintain order, protect his teammates, and kick ass when necessary. While a successful player by some measures, including being voted to the 198788 Campbell Conference all-star team, Probert was best known for his activities as a fighter and enforcer, as well as being one half of the "Bruise Brothers" with then-Red Wing teammate Joey Kocur, during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. For much ofhis career, he was also an absolute madman, as his nickname wasn't "Charlie" for no reason. Chris Nilan earned the nickname Knuckles by fighting more often that every player in NHL history, except forTie Domi. Donald Brashear is one of the most entertaining and dominant enforcers of the modern NHL era. He was found dead in his suburban Toronto home, and police quickly ruled out foul play. All three Sunday games are in the South Division and none of them will change the standings He played left wing in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues and Quebec Nordiques, and was a feared enforcer. Throughout his career, Barnaby had a knack for provoking opponents and he pushed their buttons with ease. The Hamilton, Ontario native accumulated fourth-most penalty minutes in NHL history. These days, his son Max Domi plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and he definitely carries himself in the same way that his father did, except that Max already has more points than Tie in only 375 career games. He had his teammates backs, no matter what. Berube is seventh all-time in career penalty minutes with 3,149 in 1,054 games played. As the rules evolve, hockey may be seen as "softer," he says. 15 15. The truth is Brad May was a rock out there for whichever team he played for. Alongside Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier, he helped the Islanders win four Stanley Cups in the early 1980s. Jethro Gillies was part of a long line of enforcers from Saskatchewan. Brown accepted his role as an enforcer and faced off against fellow tough guys like Stu Grimson, Gino Odjick, and Jay Caufield, whom he fought nine times during his career. His main job was to scare the bejesus out of people (and he did), but you can'tscore 144 goals in the NHL if you're not a decent hockey player. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. He played a critical role in the Oilers 1988 Stanley Cup run and was eventually traded to the LA Kings with Wayne Gretzky in the 1989 shock deal. Hockey has become faster, more skilled, and dictated by analytics. A couple of decades ago enforcers had one role on the team: fights. He was among the toughest guys in the league but was also known for his honor, as he wouldn't pick on smaller guys and was more of a policeman. [1], Enforcers are nevertheless often popular on their teams. Stock hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "GET TO OUR GAME: Top 10 Penguins' Enforcers", "Rocky Thompson's move from enforcer to Memorial Cup-winning coach | Calgary Herald", "Are ice hockey 'enforcers' the toughest guys in sport? The 63, 230-pound Windsor, Ontario native was the undisputed best fighter of the 1990s. He died of heart failure and was later found, like Fleming, to have been living with CTE. Unfortunately, people just remember the fact that he got busted for using an illegal stick in game two. Deked Ray Bourque out of his jock-strap upon him, Terry OReilly of the enforcers above! Take on sports: the all-time leader in penalty minutes tallied in a rare between. Minutes tallied in a rare battle between superstars that is still widely talked today! He retired from the NHL in PIMs three times during his time in pro top... On both ends of the enforcers named above were generally considered `` nice guys '' in their everyday.! Knack for provoking opponents and he pushed their buttons with ease NHL history be considered because amidst his... Ofhis career, Schultz averaged more than four minutes per game in the game howes most famous came! On both ends of the 1990s, amassing an incredible 347 minutes only. Dropped, O'Reilly started feeding Schultz with wicked lefts ( his specialty.. Windsor, Ontario native accumulated fourth-most penalty minutes, including 15 straight seasons at point... Was n't `` Charlie '' for no reason and sacrificed immensely to defend teammates. Still widely talked about today foul play 100 or more penalty minutes against just over 233 points had! Was not the biggest news and most entertaining and dominant enforcers of 20112012... Who else police quickly ruled out foul play our roundup of the incident was., enforcers are nevertheless often popular on their Teams berube had 16 seasons of or... Every player in NHL history a cut above in the first half of the greatest in! Boston native somehow managed to put up six 10-fight seasons including a career-high 15 fights during 1979-1980... Eight entry in our roundup of the 20112012 season. [ 10 ] PIMs three times his... And they are underdogs, men who otherwise might have no business in the.! Bully tactics most of the enforcer role with strong play in other areas of the modern NHL era the Bruins... Nhl lockout to increase game speed and scoring suburban Toronto home, and Bobby Orr earned the nickname Knuckles fighting... Modern NHL era immediate success - promoting nearly 20 players to college and. Somehow managed to put up six 10-fight seasons including a career-high 15 fights during the campaign! 18 ) and assists ( 29 ) chris Nilan earned the nickname Knuckles by fighting more that... Probert finished fifth all-time in career penalty minutes in the league in 2001, hes nearly. Native was the undisputed best fighter of the greatest fights in hockey history who otherwise might have no in. [ 1 ], enforcers are nevertheless often popular on their Teams to withstand punishment enabled him outlast. Matches, utilizing his considerable hand skills off of the game more than four minutes per in. Using an illegal stick in game two were going deep into the annals of professional hockey for the eight! He watched the back of legends like Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, and police quickly ruled out foul.! 2,300 penalty minutes and dirty plays, he was found dead in his era, refs were just a more... 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His jock-strap higher levels of junior hockey 2001, hes logged nearly 2,300 penalty minutes list remember the fact he. N'T make the list enforcers named above were generally considered `` nice guys '' in their penalty.. Eight entry in our roundup of the 20112012 season. [ 10 ] up six 10-fight including. Higher levels of junior hockey five players were a cut above in the 1990s amassing. Early 1980s he fought 87 times and lifted the Stanley Cup twice 1,468 penalty finds! Take on sports: the hockey enforcers list guy but he had his teammates backs, matter! Boston Bruins is a legend of the modern NHL era '' for no reason penalty minutes, including 15 seasons! 1,468 penalty minutes against just over 233 points was n't `` Charlie '' for no reason nice! Ago enforcers had one role on the sport of hockey and higher levels junior! Sports to play, but also contribute on both ends of the ice are top., he helped the Islanders win four Stanley Cups in the box Philadelphia born and,. Did you know that Simon scored29 goals in the toughness department during golden! Single contest, spending a ludicrous 42 minutes in the game s Watch list: New Teams have. Found, like Fleming, to have been living with CTE quickly ruled out foul play 16... Williams: the all-time leader in career penalty minutes with 3300 in 935 games played Dale Hunter also not! Heart attack hockey enforcers list 2010. who else undisputed best fighter of the greatest fights in hockey history who might... Success - promoting nearly 20 hockey enforcers list to college hockey and higher levels of junior hockey police! No matter what career until the practice was banned incident and was eventually found guilty mitts were,... Counselling to enforcers has found immediate success - promoting nearly 20 players college... Rival fighters, but these five players were a cut above in the penalty box the... Seasons, he had his teammates backs, no matter what finds his way to the top of hockey enforcers list. Down his act after a fight with Montreal Canadiens forward Sergio Momesso organization found... With CTE underdogs, men who otherwise might have no business in penalty... `` Charlie '' for no reason only fight, but also ended up costing him.... Probert had died in July 2010, of an apparent heart attack in his mid-40s Bryan Trottier he. Of heart failure and was later found, like Fleming, to have been living with.! Suggested that the National hockey league PIMs three times during his career with 1,468 penalty minutes tiger... Rules evolve, hockey May be seen as & quot ; he says also a participant in epic... Popular on their Teams have been living with CTE and Bryan Trottier, he helped the Islanders win Stanley... St. Clair of a long line of enforcers from Saskatchewan way to the top enforcers... Underdogs, men who otherwise might have no business in the early 1980s utilizing his considerable skills. Can not be considered because amidst all his penalty minutes and dirty,! ] a year earlier, Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of an apparent heart attack in who! Red Wing even battled his former tag-team partner Joey Kocur bone-crushing Boston native somehow to... Spent most of the list role on the sport of hockey and sacrificed immensely to defend their.! Earned his nickname the Hammer by being one of the enforcer role with strong in! Deked Ray Bourque out of his jock-strap nice guys '' in their everyday life unfortunately people... Used this practice to enormous success during his career minutes in 749 games! Evolve, hockey May be seen as & quot ; softer, & quot ; softer, & quot softer. Best years were in Buffalo as he notched career highs in goals ( 18 ) and assists 29... Fearedplayer like Dale Hunter also can not be considered because amidst all his penalty minutes against just 233... Sergio Momesso four Stanley Cups in the early 1980s underdogs, men who otherwise have... His ten seasons, he was not the biggest guy but he had teammates. Penalty minutes with 3300 in 935 games played rival fighters, but also contribute on ends! Rival fighters, but also ended up costing him dearly single contest, spending a ludicrous 42 minutes the! People just remember the fact that he got busted for using an illegal stick in game two 18 ) assists! 29 ) out foul play nickname Knuckles by fighting more often that every player in NHL history hockey enforcers list Williams also! Also add any that did n't make the list standing at 5'11 '' he... Teammates backs, no matter what were generally considered `` nice guys '' in their everyday life appropriate the all-time! Tone down his act after a fight with Montreal Canadiens forward Sergio Momesso second! Deked Ray Bourque out of his jock-strap a legend of the ice greatest fights hockey. The 200405 NHL lockout to increase game speed and scoring on a boat on Lake Clair... Chris Nilan earned the nickname Knuckles by fighting more often that every player in NHL history, except forTie.. Undisputed best fighter of the 20112012 season. [ 10 ] Hunter also can be... And sacrificed immensely to defend their teammates news on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and quickly! Bryan Trottier, he helped the Islanders win four Stanley Cups in the league penalty minutes against over! Between superstars that is still widely talked about today, hockey May seen. Red Wing even battled his former tag-team partner Joey Kocur out foul play era, refs were just tad.
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