hockey enforcers list

Stu Grimson was the NHLs heavyweight champion of the 1990s. Despite this insanebehavior, there's no denying that Shore was one heck of a defenseman, as he won the Hart Trophy on four occasions. Pests and enforcers often play together on the same line, usually the fourth line. He continued the trend in the playoffs, amassing 69 PIMs in just 10 games played. Since retiring, Domi has made headlines both for his philandering and placekicking for the Toronto Argonauts in the preseasona decidedly un-enforcer-like position on the gridiron. Throughout his career, Clark Gillies may not have been the most frequent fighter, but he made a tremendous impact for the New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres. What most people don't realize is that Jonathan also contributed on the offensive side as well, even scoring 27 goals during the 1977-78 season. Dave Semenko was entrusted with protecting Jari Kurri, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, and, most importantly, Wayne Gretzky during his time with the Edmonton Oilers. Not bad for a "goon.". Gillies played for the New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres during his 14-year NHL career (1974-1988). Larry Goodenough Don Grosso Dale Hawerchuk Shane Hnidy Craig Coxe Kris King Keith Tkachuk Jim Morrison Bob Sauve Jonathan Cheechoo Darius Kasparaitis Bill Kitchen Uwe Krupp Dickie Moore Rory Fitzpatrick Dino Ciccarelli Joe Reekie Roman Hamrlik Colby Armstrong Brandon Yip And now, the 50 greatest Hockey Enforcer names: 50. This is not entirely accurateas there have been many players in the past and present that can drops the mitts and play the game extremelywell. His son, Max Domi, is a promising prospect for the Arizona Coyotes. After going undrafted, Berube broke into the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers and quickly established himself as an enforcer by fighting Bob Probert three times. They are also not highly paid compared to other players, and tend to move from team to team. The aging players are often incredibly immature, which is part of what contributes to the comedy of this film. We definitely have to walk a fine line when writingthis list, in terms of what exactly constitutes as an enforcer. Doug carved himself out a niche in Montreal as one of the better defensive forwards in the league.. The Gordie Howe hat-trick is a goal, assist, and a fighting major in a single game and the namesake of it must be included in any list mentioning great NHL fighters. With a decrease in fighting, teams are less inclined to keep a roster spot available for a one-dimensional fighter who is a liability as a scorer and defender. Shane Talarico. Berube currently serves as the head coach of the Flyers and continues to be an influence on the game. While not generally categorized as an enforcer, Montador still fought more than 60 times over his NHL career, according to hockeyfights.com, the online encyclopedia for fighting in hockey. He's built like a fridge and can fight with the best of them. After all, a Gordie Howe hat trick is when a player scores a goal, gets an assist, and has a fight in the same game. Sasha Steinlight. 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. Gordie Howe: Wait what? The club has expanded, adding a USPHL Elite level team for the upcoming 2022-23 season. In the current season, fights have occurred in only 38% of NHL games, the lowest of any point since the 1968-69 season. McSorely was charged with assault as a result of the incident and was eventually found guilty. Full Bio. Howe also had a notable fight against Fred Shero that had to be broken up by Madison Square Garden police, when the two continued brawling in the penalty box. Sports journalist and writer Roy Macgregor opines that in light of recent tragic events there should be more done about it, including eliminating the role altogether. Ice Guardians: Directed by Brett Harvey. At present in the National Hockey League (NHL), teams generally do not carry more than one player whose primary role is that of an enforcer. While no hockey player is officially listed as "enforcer" on the depth chart, these guys might as well have been. His real name was Dave. 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. McSorley proved throughout his career that he could not only fight, but also contribute on both ends of the ice. The following are currently active NHL ice hockey enforcers and current minor league enforcers with NHL experience, listed alphabetically by their last name. He fought this disease with everything he had, Allan Rypien Jr., his uncle, told The Canadian Press. Dave Tiger Williams is the career penalty minute leader with 3,966 and that is a number that will likely remain for the rest of time. If a player on an opposing team injures or fights with one of their teammates, the enforcer's job is to exact revenge on the opponent. Williams spent more than 4,400 minutes in the penalty box during his 14-year career (regular season and playoffs combined). Although never a prominent goal scorer, Semenko managed to score the final goal in the history of the short-lived World Hockey Association. Granted, he tarnished all that in one ugly incident where he clubbed Donald Brasher in the head with his stick. When such play occurs, the enforcer is expected to respond aggressively, by fighting or checking the offender. None of that is true, but what a great song, right? They can skate a little bit, will maybe pop in a goal or two, but are there primarily to protect his teammates from the other team's goon.. Dave Brown During the heyday of enforcers during the 1980s, Dave Brown entered the scene as an immediate heavyweight contender. A couple of decades ago enforcers had one role on the team: fights. Early in his NHL career, Marty McSorley was given an opportunity to serve as the enforcer assigned to protect Wayne Gretzky. Jr. Enforcers alumni are in NCAA D-1, NCAA D-3, NAHL, USHL, NCDC, and the ACHA! News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. His most famous tilt was against Pierre Bouchard where the much bigger Bouchard grabbed him in a scrum and left him no choice. The superbly nicknamed Knuckles Nilan has the incredible distinction of most penalty minutes tallied in a single game. Tie Domi absolutely makes the list. He's widely considered to be one ofthe best fighters ever to play the game and what was so impressive about Probert's game was his durability. 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. 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. Retired players [ edit] Marty McSorleywas unofficially known as Wayne Gretzky's body guard for most of his career. At 6'3, 237 lbs, he had the size for it. Probert was also known for his off-ice antics and legal problems. And while you wont see their names anywhere near Gretzky or Howe on the all-time points list, they may rate more highly in other metricslike fights, and the less quantifiable fear and respect.. McSorley won two Stanley Cups in his career, but unfortunately he may best be known for his vicious slash against Donald Brashear that ended in a lengthy suspension. Enforcers are seen as working-class superheroesunderstated types with an alter ego willing to do the sport's most dangerous work to protect others. In the 1987-88 season, he spent 398 minutes in the sin-bin yet still managed to score 29 goals! You can also add any that didn't make the list. Fighting has been a part of the NHL for as long as the league has existed. Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool and shootin' some bball outside of the school. The feat has never been equaled. 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. Unfortunately, McSorley had a habit of taking things too far, which he did in 2000 by assaulting Donald Brashear with a stick, ultimately leading to McSorleys suspension and retirement. Grimsons remarkable ability to withstand punishment enabled him to outlast many rival fighters, but also ended up costing him dearly. But did you know he had 1685 penalty minutes over his 1767 game career? Nilan dreamed of playing for the Boston Bruins growing up, but was drafted as the enforcer for their rival Montreal Canadiens. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. Karlie O'Reilly. Jr. Islanders (NCDC) P.A.L. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about Williams led the NHL in PIMs three times during his career, always eager to prove his toughness, often against much larger opponents. This is a list of enforcers who have played in the National Hockey League . 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. Ice hockey is notorious for brawling - at least in North America's National Hockey League. Without further ado, here at the top 15 enforcers that were good hockey players! Kocur established himself by earning the most penalty minutes in the NHL during his first season. After finding success in Detroit he joined the New York Rangers and helped them win a Stanley Cup. Clark Gillies (April 7, 1954 January 21, 2022) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Montador had suffered the effects of concussion later in his career, and he had spoken candidly about the experience in an interview with The Peterborough Examiner late last year. But he can't be considered an enforcer because he doesn't fight often and it's not his main job, as he's relied on to produce points. Mr. Hockey himself? The league further curtailed fighting before the 1992 season by implementing an instigator penalty for players that deliberately provoke opponents into a fight. He received a punch squarelyto the throat whichpermanently damaged his larynx, though he managed to return and play solid defense for the rest of his career. ", http://www.hhof.com/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11688, "Ryan VandenBussche hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Dennis Vial hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", https://www.detroitathletic.com/blog/2009/03/16/remembering-the-red-wings-enforcer-bryan-bugsy-watson/, "Where Are They Now? Over the years, rules have been instituted to restrict how and when fighting takes place. He had his teammates backs, no matter what. 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