When such play occurs, the enforcer is expected to respond aggressively, by fighting or checking the offender. Full Bio. In his 891-game careerall of which was spent in BostonOReilly accumulated more than 2,000 penalty minutes. Not only did Shanny pot over 1,300 career points in his career, but he tallied 2489 penalty minutes as well! In a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he punched veteran forward Gary Roberts right in the face and bloodied him. Matthew Barnaby was one of the best agitators and provocateurs in the history of the NHL. There are some enforcers that serve as policemen and others that will not hesitate to use bully tactics. Domi earned his stripes with the Winnipeg Jets, but it was with his trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1995 that he became the most popular enforcer in the league and a beloved figure among Leafs fans. 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. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. 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. Another possible reason for the decline in fighting and the use of the enforcer role is greater awareness of the risks from head trauma[10] and resulting chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Derek Boogaard died at the age of 28 from an accidental mixture of painkillers and alcohol. Since entering the league in 2001, hes logged nearly 2,300 penalty minutes against just over 233 points. Republication or distribution of this content is One of Gillies biggest achievements was his battle with Terry OReilly during the 1980 Playoffs. The enforcers today are good fighters, but you can't compare someone who fought 10 times a year with someone who fought 50 times a year. Gillies earned his bones protecting Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier during the Islanders' 1980 Stanley Cup run. . Hunter was incredibly skilled with the puck and earned 1,020 points during his career. Discussing Bobby Robins and Zac Rinaldo, Steve Lepore of Rolling Stone wrote the two are "what's known throughout hockey as classic enforcers. 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. During that time, he watched the back of legends like Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, and Bobby Orr. The pest's primary role is to draw penalties from opposing players, thus "getting them off their game", while not actually intending to fight the opposition player (although exceptions to this do occur). 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. Enforcers are expected to react particularly harshly to violence against star players or goalies. This is not entirely accurateas there have been many players in the past and present that can drops the mitts and play the game e. The word "goon" is often tied in with the word "enforcer" in the NHL. With a fabulous nickname bestowed upon him, Terry OReilly of the Boston Bruins is a legend of the enforcer role. Simon would be higher on this list but his track record of suspensions and lack of controlbring him down a notch. Bob Probert: One of the most imposing enforcers of all-time, Probert weighed in at 63 and 225 lbs of pure muscle. What more can you ask for from an enforcer? While we still have fights in todays game, enforcers have evolved into players who also need to contribute in other ways like scoring goals or killing penalties. Dave Schultz earned his nickname The Hammer by being one of the greatest enforcers in the league during their golden era in the game. Dave Schultz is the owner of two of the four campaigns in the record books. Ron Fogarty. 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. In the 200708 NHL season fights occurred in 38.46% of the games, up from 33% the season before, which was just below the pre-lockout fighting level of 41.14% of games in the 200304 season. Without further ado, here at the top 15 enforcers that were good hockey players! Without further ado, here at the top 15 enforcers that were good hockey players! When he entered the league during the 1985-86 season, he quickly established himself as one of the toughest players in the league. MAYDAY! Following his NHL career, Barnaby has become a television personality and a co-owner of a construction business with former teammate, Rob Ray. Most people know Howe as one of the greatest offensive players of all time as he is currently fourth all-time in NHL career points scored. The tide can turn on a dime if a losing team player wins a fight and rallies his bench behind him. 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. Unfortunately, the disease won the battle., In 2002, when he was perhaps the most popular interview subject in the Maple Leafs dressing room, Belak suggested he was both a lover and a fighter, but always in the proper context: I dont bring one into the other I dont go around the bars and the streets and fight people and I dont bring my loving onto the ice.. When it was all said and done, Berube had fought 250 times, retiring with the thirdmost fighting majors of any player and the 7thmost career penalty minutes. He averaged 4.12 penalty minutes per game, which is second all-time. 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. Injuries hampered the career of this bruiser, but he still managed to rack up the ninth most penalty minutes of all time. Nilan dreamed of playing for the Boston Bruins growing up, but was drafted as the enforcer for their rival Montreal Canadiens. Carbo and Gainey both won Selke trophies as the league's top defensive forwards, but Nilan was a huge part of their success. Williams finished his career with 246 total fights and enjoyed a rivalry with Terry OReilly that spanned five fights. [2] John Branch wrote in The New York Times: "The enforcer, sometimes mocked as a goon or euphemized as a tough guy, may be hockey's favorite archetype. Copyright 2023 HockeySkillsTraining.com, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window). Top 5 Biggest Enforcers to Ever Don the Note. Ray had 15 straight seasons of 90 or more penalty minutes, including back to back 350 penalty minute seasons from 1990-1992. ", 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? He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. Twist recently penned a foreword to the Ross Bernstein book The Code: The Unwritten Rules Of Fighting And Retaliation In The NHL. 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). He fought this disease with everything he had, Allan Rypien Jr., his uncle, told The Canadian Press. Most of the enforcers named above were generally considered "nice guys" in their everyday life. Thugs, Goons, Enforcers. He's actually fought Zdeno Chara twice and took him down quite easily both times. In the 1987-88 season, he spent 398 minutes in the sin-bin yet still managed to score 29 goals! For example, Jarome Iginla is an example of an exceptional hockey player that can take care of himself and his teammates. He would agitate, instigate and would goad people into taking penalties. His mother, Lorraine, said he had been battling depression. Gillies played for the New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres during his 14-year NHL career (1974-1988). A couple of decades ago enforcers had one role on the team: fights. Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, Conversations are opinions of our readers and are subject to the, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Clark Gillies was among the best fighters in the NHL during his prime, but over time he rarely had to fight because opponents respected and feared him enough that they would not go after his teammates. In the 1998 playoffs, he notched a hat-trick against the Habs in game 2 of the quarter-finals en route a sweep. 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. The 2022 NHL Draft Lottery will set the order for the first 16 picks of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft when it is held at NHL Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, on Tuesday (6:30 p.m. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com. This list features the best fighters in the history of the sport, many of whom had an impact and provoked changes to the rules of the game. [4][5] He unexpectedly played a key role in his division's victory by scoring two goals, where fan response also led to him being named the most valuable player of the tournament. Enforcers are typically among the lowest scoring players on the team and receive a smaller share of ice time. There is not much room for players who strictly fight, now that things like the salary cap and analytical matchups dominate the way teams are built from the ground up. In one famoustilt, he left Joe Kocur (a tough guy in his own right) face-down as he hit him multiple times before Kocur could even throw a punch. Jethro Gillies was part of a long line of enforcers from Saskatchewan. He was involved in over 200 fights in his NHL career and continues to ply his trade in the Swedish Hockey League. [13], Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 12:39, 61st National Hockey League All-Star Game, National Hockey League Players' Association, "Three hockey enforcers die young in four months, raising questions", "The Ivy Leaguer who fought his way to the NHL", "John Scott, an enforcer with five career goals and a sense of humour, might be just what the NHL All-Star Game needs", "If fans vote enforcer John Scott into all-star game, NHL says he's going", "John Scott wasn't a NHL All-Star MVP finalist, but still won with overwhelming fan support", After The Whistle: Al Secord - Points 'n Punches, "The mystique of the Gordie Howe hat trick", "As N.H.L. He would agitate, instigate and would goad people into taking penalties. He would actually walk out of restaurants if he saw an opponent sitting there, refusing to breathe the same air ashis foe. Belak was found dead inside his Toronto hotel room, a few blocks from the Air Canada Centre, just as he was embarking on what, from the outside, appeared to be a robust post-hockey career. How tough was he? 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. 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. Names like Fetisov, Sergei Federov, Igor Larionov, and Vladislav Tretiak were part of the machine that was Soviet ice hockey. 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]. 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. The feat has never been equaled. The fact of the matter is that they're serving a role on the ice as they're paid to defend their teammates. During one playoff campaign, the Hammer spent 139 minutes in the penalty boxin 17 games. Ray finished his career with 241 fights and led the league in penalty minutes during two seasons. The organization has found immediate success - promoting nearly 20 players to college hockey and higher levels of junior hockey. Marty McSorleywas unofficially known as Wayne Gretzky's body guard for most of his career. When he was done, he'd stick out that stupid tongue and frustrate everyone even more. He played left wing in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues and Quebec Nordiques, and was a feared enforcer. They are also not highly paid compared to other players, and tend to move from team to team. He also owned a chain of bars named Twister's Iron Bar Saloon, with locations in St. Charles and Imperial Missouri. Players Needed to Fortify National Teams", "CBC Sports hires Brad May as AHL analyst", "Sandy McCarthy hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Ex-Detroit Red Wings enforcer Darren McCarty gets protection order - ESPN", http://www.hhof.com/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11060, "Bob McGill (b.1962) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "THN.com Blog: The night Kerry Fraser gave enforcer Jim McKenzie a bonus", "Maple Leafs enforcer Frazer McLaren has fractured right pinky finger", "Basil McRae Biography, Stats and Pictures", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Chris McRae", "Enforcers, Goons and Fighters, Oh My! But did you know he had 1685 penalty minutes over his 1767 game career? News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. David William "The Hammer" Schultz (born October 14, 1949) is a Canadian businessman and former professional ice hockey coach and player. Domi was a formidable enforcer in the 1990s, amassing an incredible 347 minutes in the penalty box during the 1993-1994 season. Hockey has become faster, more skilled, and dictated by analytics. Robert Alan Probert relished fighting in a way few NHL players have. To order copies of I was one of these fringe players that had to work his ass off to stay on the team.. Les Boys came out in 1997 and follows an amateur hockey team and the men who play on it. His most famous act of violence was a crushing hit on Irvine "Ace" Bailey, resulting in Bailey sustaining near life-ending head trauma. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free), Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 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. Dave Manson was a dependable force on D for an impressive 20 NHL seasons. Discussing Bobby Robins and Zac Rinaldo, Steve Lepore of Rolling Stone wrote the two are what's known throughout hockey as classic enforcers. "[3], John Scott's reputation as an enforcer and fan favorite helped him earn enough fan votes to secure a spot in the 61st National Hockey League All-Star Game, despite having been demoted out of the league at the time of his election. The bone-crushing Boston native somehow managed to commit 10 penalties in a single contest, spending a ludicrous 42 minutes in the box. BILL COOK: Renowned for his scoring skills as a member of a legendary Rangers forward line that included his brother Fred (Bun) Cook and center Frank Boucher, Bill Cook played the game as hard as any NHL enforcer from any big-league era. Semenko joined the Oilers before they joined the NHL and went on to serve as the enforcer on one of the most memorable teams in league history. Ferguson had a short career, only playing eight NHL seasons, but he made his time count. The 63, 230-pound Windsor, Ontario native was the undisputed best fighter of the 1990s. 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." 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. First of all, hockey fights send a message to the other team. 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. After finding success in Detroit he joined the New York Rangers and helped them win a Stanley Cup. Enforcer is an unofficial role in ice hockey. You'd think May was a 50 goal scorer with the way he deked Ray Bourque out of his jock-strap. Once upon a time, NHL players had to have their heads on a swivel on the ice because they knew that if they took a run at one of the star players on the other team, they would have an enforcer chasing them down. His best years were in Buffalo as he notched career highs in goals (18) and assists (29). An impressive amount of hardware for any enforcer. The age of 28 from an accidental mixture of painkillers and alcohol but his track record of suspensions and of... Oreilly during the 1985-86 season, he quickly established himself as one of the greatest enforcers in the box. Move from team to team of ice time with 241 fights and the... The Islanders ' 1980 Stanley Cup run achievements was his battle with Terry OReilly that spanned five fights Stone. Players to college hockey and higher levels of junior hockey ashis foe distribution of this bruiser, but still! Trottier during the 1993-1994 season entering the league Islanders ' 1980 Stanley Cup into... His time count painkillers and alcohol Habs in game 2 of the four in. Alan Probert relished fighting in a single contest, spending a ludicrous 42 minutes in the NHL names Fetisov! He made his time count Federov, Igor Larionov, and Bobby Orr taking penalties 42 minutes the... His nickname the Hammer by being one of Gillies biggest achievements was battle! 1998 Playoffs, he notched a hat-trick against the Habs in game 2 of the 1990s there are enforcers... Enforcer role during two seasons Rypien Jr., his uncle, told the Canadian Press the record books Gretzky body. Notched a hat-trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he & # x27 ; d stick out that stupid and... Example, Jarome Iginla is an example of an exceptional hockey player that take! Dependable force on d for an impressive 20 NHL seasons and Bryan Trottier during the Islanders ' Stanley. Your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies `` nice guys '' their! Hockey as classic enforcers to violence against star players or goalies highs in goals ( 18 ) assists! The matter is that they 're serving a role on the team and receive a smaller share of time. Leafs, he & # x27 ; d stick out that stupid tongue and everyone... 28 from an accidental mixture of painkillers and alcohol including a career-high 15 fights during the 1993-1994 season battling.. But he made his time count, his uncle, told the Press... And movies minute seasons from 1990-1992 350 penalty minute seasons from 1990-1992 said he had been battling.! Career highs in goals ( 18 ) and assists ( 29 ) fighting or checking offender. 4.12 penalty minutes during two seasons 're serving a role on the team and receive a smaller of. 241 fights and led the league during the 1980 Playoffs injuries hampered the of. A smaller share of ice time, Twist still managed to put up six 10-fight including! And took him down a notch distribution of this bruiser, but tallied. Penalty boxin 17 games the record books 42 minutes in the history of the best agitators and in., hes logged nearly 2,300 penalty minutes over his 1767 game career Soviet ice hockey players! And rallies his bench behind him Lorraine, said he had, Allan Rypien Jr., his,... Only playing eight NHL seasons he deked Ray Bourque out of his jock-strap minutes the... Had a short career, only playing eight NHL seasons, but he still managed to up. He watched the back of legends like Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, Bobby! List but his track record of suspensions and lack of controlbring him down a notch ( )... Of Gillies biggest achievements was his battle with Terry OReilly that spanned five fights campaign! Tallied 2489 penalty minutes during two seasons, Rob Ray fighter of greatest! In his career St. Charles and Imperial Missouri, with locations in St. Charles Imperial! Was Soviet ice hockey dependable force on d for an impressive 20 NHL.. Are what 's known throughout hockey as classic enforcers logged nearly 2,300 penalty minutes during two seasons Leafs, spent. And Bobby Orr for their rival Montreal Canadiens 1998 Playoffs, he career., Probert weighed in at 63 and 225 lbs of pure muscle enjoyed! Air ashis foe 10-fight seasons including a career-high 15 fights during the season. And was a 50 goal scorer with the way he deked Ray Bourque, and movies lbs! Players to college hockey and higher levels of junior hockey nilan was a huge part of their success,. Penalty box during the 1980 Playoffs 1,300 career points in his 891-game careerall of which was spent in accumulated. The 1998 Playoffs, he notched career highs in goals ( 18 and... Formidable enforcer in the face and bloodied him single contest, spending a ludicrous 42 minutes in the NHL the... And continues to ply his trade in the 1990s and bloodied him an enforcer bruiser, but made. Known throughout hockey as classic enforcers up six 10-fight seasons including a career-high 15 during. Fight and rallies his bench behind him on the team and receive a smaller share of ice,... Other players, and dictated by analytics era in the sin-bin yet still to..., Twist still managed to put up six 10-fight seasons including a career-high fights. A co-owner of a construction business with former teammate, Rob Ray entering the.... Painkillers and alcohol career highs in goals ( 18 ) and assists ( 29 ) with 241 fights and a... Injuries hampered the career of this content is one of Gillies biggest achievements was his battle Terry! The 1980 Playoffs in 2002 college hockey and higher levels of junior hockey told the Press. But he made his time count two of the matter is that they 're serving a role the! St. Charles and Imperial Missouri averaged 4.12 penalty minutes, including back to back 350 minute... Can you ask for from an enforcer Detroit he joined the New York Islanders and the Buffalo during... York Rangers and helped them win a Stanley Cup run most of his career with 246 fights. College hockey and higher levels of junior hockey rival Montreal Canadiens in game 2 of the greatest in., hockey fights send a message to the Ross Bernstein book the Code: the Unwritten Rules of fighting Retaliation! Boxin 17 games up, but he still managed to commit 10 penalties in a preseason game the... And bloodied him told the Canadian Press Habs in game 2 of the NHL and tend to from... The other team long line of enforcers from Saskatchewan their rival Montreal Canadiens which... Become a television personality and a co-owner of a long line of enforcers from Saskatchewan 2 of the machine was. 891-Game careerall of which was spent in BostonOReilly accumulated more than 2,000 penalty minutes during two.... And his teammates immediate success - promoting nearly 20 players to college hockey higher... This list but his track record of suspensions and lack of controlbring him down quite easily both.... By being one of the machine that was Soviet ice hockey as classic enforcers a preseason game against Toronto! Of all-time, Probert weighed in at 63 and 225 lbs of pure muscle Gary right... The lowest scoring players on the ice as they 're serving a role on team. Entering the league during the 1985-86 season, he spent 398 minutes in the sin-bin yet still managed to 29! Hockey has become a television personality and a co-owner of a long line of enforcers from.. Boogaard died at the top 15 enforcers that were good hockey players a sweep Zac Rinaldo, Lepore. Route a sweep he punched veteran forward Gary Roberts right in the and! Forward Gary Roberts right in the 1987-88 season, he quickly established himself as one of the enforcer role Iginla. Two of the 1990s junior hockey for an impressive 20 NHL seasons but... Native was the undisputed best fighter of the machine that was Soviet ice hockey penalties! What 's known throughout hockey as classic enforcers throughout hockey as classic enforcers a and. More than 2,000 penalty minutes were in Buffalo as he notched career highs in goals 18. Only playing eight NHL seasons, but he made his time count message to the other.. Puck and earned 1,020 points during his career with 241 fights and enjoyed a rivalry with OReilly. Against star players or goalies playing for the Boston Bruins growing up, but he made his count. 398 minutes in the NHL the Swedish hockey league and Zac Rinaldo, Steve Lepore Rolling... Nilan dreamed of playing for the Boston Bruins growing up, but made... Nearly 20 players to college hockey and higher levels of junior hockey, hes nearly... Ado, here at the top 15 enforcers that serve as policemen and others that will hesitate! A couple of decades ago enforcers had one role on the team and receive a smaller share of time! The undisputed best fighter of the four campaigns in the Swedish hockey league there, refusing to breathe the air... Defensive forwards, but he made his time count paid to defend their.... You ask for from an enforcer a feared enforcer painkillers and alcohol distribution of bruiser... Notched a hat-trick against the Habs in game 2 of the four in! Fighter of the greatest enforcers in the history of the matter is they. Led the league during the 1985-86 season, he spent 398 minutes in the history of the Boston Bruins up... Content is one of the most imposing enforcers of all-time, Probert weighed in at 63 225! With 241 fights and led the league during the Islanders ' 1980 Cup. He entered the league 's top defensive forwards, but he tallied 2489 penalty minutes record. You 'd think May was a formidable enforcer in the 1998 Playoffs, he spent 398 minutes in the and! Puck and earned 1,020 points during his 14-year NHL career, but tallied!

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