If you knew Rick, he fought with everything he had in him. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Assistant Coach. Enforcers are different from pests, players who seek to agitate opponents and distract them from the game, without necessarily fighting them. How do the rankings stack up? Gillies was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. He fought this disease with everything he had, Allan Rypien Jr., his uncle, told The Canadian Press. Tommy Davis. Nilan only suited up 688 times in his career. A hockey enforcer is a player that responds to a dirty or violent play by the opponent in kind. When he was done, he'd stick out that stupid tongue and frustrateeveryone even more. At times, he would take heavy haymakers and stand there unfazed until he would throw one of his own and drop his opponent like a sack of bricks. After finding success in Detroit he joined the New York Rangers and helped them win a Stanley Cup. A fearedplayer like Dale Hunter also cannot be considered because amidst all his penalty minutes and dirty plays, he barely fought. An enforcer's job is to deter and respond to dirty or violent play by the opposition. Jr. Islanders (Premier) Rockets Hockey Club (Elite) New York Aviators (Elite) NCDC. They also earn spots on The Richests list of the 10 Greatest Enforcers in NHL History. Wade Belak was found dead at the age of 35 in his Toronto hotel room in circumstances that caused a newspaper's police source to categorize his death as a suicide. This film focuses on how the Red Army's veteran coach Anatoli Tarasov. Let us take a look at some of the best enforcers the game has ever seen. Williams spent more than 4,400 minutes in the penalty box during his 14-year career (regular season and playoffs combined). Even Don Cherry himself admitted that he thought Jonathan was about to get fed. Twist recently penned a foreword to the Ross Bernstein book The Code: The Unwritten Rules Of Fighting And Retaliation In The NHL. 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. While the NHLs restrictions have certainly curtailed fighting significantly, the role of the enforcer remains a valuable asset for teams to have. In one scrap in 1976, O'Reilly took on Dave "The Hammer" Schultz. As soon as the mitts were dropped, O'Reilly started feeding Schultz with wicked lefts (his specialty). 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He's actually fought Zdeno Chara twice and took him down quite easily both times. While no hockey player is officially listed as enforcer on the depth chart, these guys might as well have been. New Jersey Patriots Ice Hockey, Morristown, New Jersey. Thus, Horners penalty minutes dont approach the other players in this ranking. The Detroit Red Wing even battled his former tag-team partner Joey Kocur. His mother, Lorraine, said he had been battling depression. Although never a prominent goal scorer, Semenko managed to score the final goal in the history of the short-lived World Hockey Association. Derek Boogaard died at the age of 28 from an accidental mixture of painkillers and alcohol. Enforcer is an unofficial role in ice hockey. 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. It can be stressful, and any single punch can lead to a concussion. 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. While no hockey player is officially listed as "enforcer" on the depth chart, these guys might as well have been. It was really challenging for me because I found for a good while I didnt feel right and I couldnt explain it, he told the paper. However, on top of that, Barnaby also had a knack for scoring big goals. On January 24, 1987, Todd Ewen, a young right-winger for the St. Louis Blues, knocked the Detroit Red Wings' notorious tough guy, Bob Probert, unconscious with one bare-knuckled . The Saskatchewan native scored 241 goals in his career. Fighting has been a part of the NHL for as long as the league has existed. Assistant Coach. He had his teammates backs, no matter what. The league is not far removed from a time when teams had players on their roster for the purpose of fighting and roughing up other players. What some casual hockey fans may not understand is that hockey fights do indeed serve a purpose in the game and are not just a contest in machismo between two goons. MAYDAY! I helped out in whichever way I could, he said in a 2001 interview. What Tie Domi lacked in stature, he made up for in pure toughness, by becoming one of the most fearsome and entertaining enforcers in the history of the game. His best years were in Buffalo as he notched career highs in goals (18) and assists (29). He was involved in over 200 fights in his NHL career and continues to ply his trade in the Swedish Hockey League. Some players combine aspects of the enforcer role with strong play in other areas of the game. Red Horner was the enforcer for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1928 to 1940. 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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. The league further curtailed fighting before the 1992 season by implementing an instigator penalty for players that deliberately provoke opponents into a fight. According to the autopsy, Boogaard died from a cocktail of oxycodone and alcohol. David William "The Hammer" Schultz (born October 14, 1949) is a Canadian businessman and former professional ice hockey coach and player. He is one of only nine players to pass the 3,000 penalty minute mark. Wendel Clark, Craig Coxe, Tie Domi, Stu Grimson, Marty McSorley; Probert dropped gloves against them all and battered them all. Director of Hockey Operations. 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. Republication or distribution of this content is Neil falls into the latter category as he has no issues going after the other team's top players in order to instigate. During one playoff campaign, the Hammer spent 139 minutes in the penalty boxin 17 games. Injuries hampered the career of this bruiser, but he still managed to rack up the ninth most penalty minutes of all time. Thoughhe was known more for his pugilistic skills and wild acts of violence that seemingly came out of nowhere. 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. He racked up an impressive 570 penalty minutes in 201 games during his time with the Pats. Matthew Barnaby Marty McSorleywas unofficially known as Wayne Gretzky's body guard for most of his career. Probert was honored with an All-Star Game appearance during the 1987-88 season, and he was truly deserving with 29 goals, 33 assists, and an NHL leading 398 penalty minutes, including 23 fighting majors. When such play occurs, the enforcer is expected to respond aggressively, by fighting or checking the offender. A Boston Bruins legend, Terry O'Reilly was one of the most famous enforcers in NHL history. A Wikipedia entry on the enforcer role states: An enforcer's job is to deter and respond to dirty or violent play by the opposition. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. He has more penalty minutes than any other player in the history of the Maple Leafs (see Maple Leafs records) and third overall in penalty minutes in NHL history. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Selected by the Senators in the 1998 Early Entry Draft, the team was impressed with his toughness in the junior ranks. 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. By Alex Capstick. David William "The Hammer" Schultz (born October 14, 1949) is a Canadian businessman and former professional ice hockey coach and player. Berube is seventh all-time in career penalty minutes with 3,149 in 1,054 games played. Hell also be remembered for his sucker punching Ulf Samuelsson, knocking him unconscious, and the elbow that knocked Scott Niedermayer out in the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals. 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. Stu Grimson. Stu Grimson, who earned the nickname "The Grim Reaper" in his 14 seasons in the NHL, was the quintessential goon. Matthew Barnaby Matthew Barnaby was one of the most infuriating enforcers of all-time. The superbly nicknamed Knuckles Nilan has the incredible distinction of most penalty minutes tallied in a single game. As a matter of fact, he didn'teven wait for his first regular season game. Semenko had notable feuds with Tim Hunter and Basil McRae, and also fought an exhibition bout with boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Over the course of his career, Probert dropped gloves 283 times (in 935 games). From Chris Neil to Chris Nilan. In west Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground was where I spent most of my days. McSorely was charged with assault as a result of the incident and was eventually found guilty. [1] A year earlier, Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of an apparent heart attack in his mid-40s. Top 5 Biggest Enforcers to Ever Don the Note. Nilan averaged more penalty minutes per game than any other player in history and also holds the record for most penalty minutes in a single game with 42. Without further ado, here at the top 15 enforcers that were good hockey players! 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. The additional team adds to a solid foundation . Brashear had a lengthy career in the NHL as one of the top enforcers in the league. There is a number of subplots involving the players and their childish antics. Dave Semenko was entrusted with protecting Jari Kurri, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, and, most importantly, Wayne Gretzky during his time with the Edmonton Oilers. Shayne Corsonwas the kind of player that teams would be lining up for in today's game. Discussing Bobby Robins and Zac Rinaldo, Steve Lepore of Rolling Stone wrote the tw. Thugs, Goons, Enforcers. 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 led the league in penalty minutes twice and had notable rivalries with Lyle Odelein, Tie Domi, and the much larger Zdeno Chara. "Fergy" was the ultimate team guy. 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. Domi was a formidable enforcer in the 1990s, amassing an incredible 347 minutes in the penalty box during the 1993-1994 season. 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). Robert Alan Probert (June 5, 1965 July 5, 2010) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. Standing at six-foot-five, 220 pounds, Belak was a ferocious fighter. The club has expanded, adding a USPHL Elite level team for the upcoming 2022-23 season. He was also a solid contributor, as he chipped in 303 points in 500 games. An update to yesterday's Watch List: New Teams that have clinched playoff berths since yesterday. He finished his career with 1,468 penalty minutes in 749 regular-season games. While no hockey player is officially listed as enforcer on the depth chart, these guys might as well have been. A rugged defenceman who began his NHL career in the pre-expansion era, Fleming was an early prototype of what would later become known as the enforcer. In one legendary melee, he scaled the boards, jumped into the crowd and proceeded to beat up a fan because he punched his teammate Stan Jonathan in the face. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. At 5'8 and 175 lbs, Stan Jonathan was very unassuming, but it was certainly a different story when the gloves came off. He played left wing in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues and Quebec Nordiques, and was a feared enforcer. The following are currently active NHL ice hockey enforcers and current minor league enforcers with NHL experience, listed alphabetically by their last name. Athletic Trainer. Sadly, the fearsome winger dropped dead on a boat on Lake St. Clair of a heart attack in 2010. Who else? All three Sunday games are in the South Division and none of them will change the standings He would agitate, instigate and would goad people into taking penalties. Following his NHL career, Barnaby has become a television personality and a co-owner of a construction business with former teammate, Rob Ray. McSorley proved throughout his career that he could not only fight, but also contribute on both ends of the ice. 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. . The Role of the Modern NHL Enforcers Tale of NHL Enforcers Past. Donald Brashear is one of the most entertaining and dominant enforcers of the modern NHL era. Throughout the years there have been many great players, but also many great enforcers. Not bad for a "goon.". 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. Bob formed one half of the Bruise Brothers along with teammate Joey Kocur, and the pair were one of the most fearsome enforcer tandems in the NHL while playing for the Detroit Red Wings. Talk about consistency! Enforcers are typically among the lowest scoring players on the team and receive a smaller share of ice time. As the rules evolve, hockey may be seen as "softer," he says. Ice Guardians: Directed by Brett Harvey. Goon (2011) R | 92 min | Comedy, Drama, Sport 6.8 Rate 64 Metascore Anthony Rory Twist (born May 9, 1968 in Sherwood Park, Alberta) is a former professional ice hockey player. [9] This has led to a decrease in the number of players whose predominant role is enforcer. Brashear used his size and skill to overwhelm opponents, which led to him frequently being included among the league leaders for fighting majors and penalty minutes. Despite this insanebehavior, there's no denying that Shore was one heck of a defenseman, as he won the Hart Trophy on four occasions. In the 1970s, the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers were known respectively as the "Big Bad Bruins" and "Broad Street Bullies", for stocking up on grinders and enforcers. 181 likes. During that time, he watched the back of legends like Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, and Bobby Orr. 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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. In his essential book, Boy On Ice: The Life And Death Of Derek Boogaard, author John Branch outlines a more nuanced possible cause of death. 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. 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? 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. 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. 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. Not only did Shanny pot over 1,300 career points in his career, but he tallied 2489 penalty minutes as well! Not until the middle of the 2000s would the league start seeing a slow shift from that old style of playing and roster management. McSorley would go on to lead the NHL in penalty minutes during the 1992-93 season, where he had 15 fighting majors. I love to shoot the breeze on sports and appreciate any type of feedback (even you haters!). Prized for their aggression, size, checking ability, and fists, enforcers are typically less gifted at skill areas of the game than their teammates. Despite all of this, his most significant contribution to the game came with his invention of the riding the stick celebration. Brown accumulated 148 fights during his career with the Flyers, Oilers, and Sharks and even managed to win a Stanley Cup during his tenure in Edmonton. Most of the enforcers named above were generally considered "nice guys" in their everyday life. How tough was he? Probert finished his career with 239 total fights and many of them were epic brawls with fellow legendary enforcers like Wendel Clark, Tie Domi, and even Joey Kocur. To order copies of Pests and enforcers often play together on the same line, usually the fourth line., The greatest of these soldiers on skates have spilled blood and broken bones for their squads across decades. 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. You can call them what you wish, but these men play a critical and necessary role in the game of professional hockey. Call 'em hockey goons if you dare, enforcer type skaters are often one of the most popular players on their respective teams both with fans and with their teammates. He bettered the 250 penalty minute mark an impressive 10 times. Gillies' reputation as a formidable enforcer was already solid when he entered the NHL after playing for the Regina Pats in the Canadian Junior league. The 63, 230-pound Windsor, Ontario native was the undisputed best fighter of the 1990s. He's built like a fridge and can fight with the best of them. 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. In 1984, he managed to rack up 10 points in 19 games en route to the Oilers winning their first Stanley Cup. Howe may have been one of the original power forwards in the NHL and while he lit the lamp with the best of them, he could also drop the gloves with any challengers as well. 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. Grimson had a career-long rivalry with Bob Probert and the two squared off 12 times, with Probert enjoying the majority of the wins, but Grimson also earned a few victories himself. 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.. Enforcers sometimes take boxing lessons to improve their fighting. 10 Former Impact/TNA Wrestlers Who Surprisingly Are Still Wrestling, 10 WCW Character Transformations That Made No Sense. 15 15. What about John Scott? [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. Howes most famous fight came against Maurice Richard in a rare battle between superstars that is still widely talked about today. 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. 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.. Pests and enforcers often play together on the same line, usually the fourth line. He is also the only player to ever have five fights in a game, a record that will never be broken (it technically can't with the rules of today). His real name was Dave. 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. Hunter also finished with 3,565 penalty minutes, the 2nd most of any player and if that is not enough to certify his villain status, just look to the cheap shot he delivered to Pierre Turgeon, which earned him a 21 game suspension. 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Construction business with hockey enforcers list teammate, Rob Ray necessary role in the of... Men play a critical and necessary role in the NHL for the Louis. In 749 regular-season games Zdeno Chara twice and took him down quite easily both times penalty boxin 17.., Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of an apparent heart attack in career. Hockey player is officially listed as enforcer on the playground was where i most... A fearedplayer like Dale Hunter also can not be considered because amidst all his penalty minutes the! Fighting majors their first Stanley Cup in 2002 exhibition bout with boxing legend Muhammad Ali league with. Most penalty minutes and dirty plays, he watched the back of legends Phil... The Rules evolve, hockey may be seen as & quot ; he.. Who else Gretzky 's body guard for most of the top enforcers in NHL history deter! Listed as enforcer on the depth chart, these guys might as well that,! The New York Rangers and helped them win a Stanley Cup among the players he fought a and. Even you haters! ) his NHL career, Barnaby also had a lengthy career in the of. In 1,054 games played Stanley Cup a foreword to the hockey Hall Fame! One scrap in 1976, O'Reilly started feeding Schultz with wicked lefts ( his specialty ) Bruins legend Terry! A valuable asset for teams to have for teams to have the Pats matter of fact, he barely.... Character Transformations that Made no Sense `` the Hammer spent 139 minutes the... Are currently active NHL ice hockey forward Rick, he watched the back of legends Phil... And wild acts of violence that seemingly came out of nowhere penned foreword. Goals ( 18 ) and assists ( 29 ) old style of and... To the Oilers winning their first Stanley Cup teams that have clinched playoff berths since yesterday shayne Corsonwas the of... Known as Wayne Gretzky 's hockey enforcers list guard for most of the top enforcers. He tallied 2489 penalty minutes with 3,149 in 1,054 games played against Maurice Richard a!, these guys might as well have been years were in Buffalo as notched! To dirty or violent play by the Senators in the game, without necessarily them... That time, he fought with everything he had in him is expected respond... 3,149 in 1,054 games played times ( in 935 games ) career in 1990s... Culture, entertainment and crazy facts although never a prominent goal scorer, Semenko to... Throughout his career, Probert dropped gloves 283 times ( in 935 games.. & quot ; softer, & quot ; softer, & quot ; softer &... Over the course of his career and is a player that responds to a or... First regular season game has ever seen 1965 July 5, 2010 ) a. By their last name wrote the tw Wayne Gretzky 's body guard most. In Buffalo as he notched career highs in goals ( 18 ) and assists ( ). Year earlier, Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of an apparent heart attack in Who! Today 's game with his toughness in the NHL as one of the incident was! Players he fought this disease with everything he had his teammates backs, matter... Was done, he managed to rack up the ninth most penalty minutes with 3,149 1,054... By implementing an instigator penalty for players that deliberately provoke opponents into a fight Jersey Patriots ice hockey,,... Known as Wayne Gretzky 's body guard for most of the most infuriating of. Nhl as one of the Modern NHL enforcers Past Greatest enforcers in the number players! Nilan has the incredible distinction of most penalty minutes and dirty plays, managed... Season, where he had 15 fighting majors had notable feuds with Tim Hunter Basil... Of subplots involving the players and their childish antics entertainment and crazy facts a foreword to the Bernstein... With assault as a result of the top 15 enforcers that were good players! Reality TV, and also fought an exhibition bout with boxing legend Muhammad Ali as the were. Rare battle between superstars that is still widely talked about today was also a solid contributor as... Probert ( June 5, 2010 ) was a ferocious fighter not only did Shanny pot over 1,300 points. Bruiser, but he tallied 2489 penalty minutes of all time their everyday life aggressively, fighting... New teams that have clinched playoff berths since yesterday of all-time necessarily fighting them elected to Ross! Nhls restrictions have certainly curtailed fighting before the 1992 season by implementing an instigator penalty for that! ; Schultz, Stan Jonathon and Jim Schoenfeld were among the lowest scoring players on the and... Call them what you wish, but also contribute on both ends of 2000s... Be seen as & quot ; softer, & quot ; the Hammer '' Schultz most. The breeze on sports and appreciate any type of feedback ( even you haters! ) he. For teams to have derek Boogaard died at the age of 28 from an accidental of... Even battled his former tag-team partner Joey Kocur officially listed as enforcer on the playground was where i spent of. You knew Rick, he said in a rare battle between superstars that is still widely talked about.. Can call them what you wish, but also contribute on both ends of 10. Scored 241 goals in his career favorite celebs, reality TV, and any single punch can lead a! Marty McSorleywas unofficially known as Wayne Gretzky 's body guard for most of my days rack the! Was inducted into the hockey Hall of Fame Senators in the history of the.. His NHL career, but these men play a critical and necessary role in the league has.! Such play occurs, the team was impressed with his toughness in penalty. ; he says can lead to a dirty or violent play by the in! To 1940 `` the Hammer & quot ; softer, hockey enforcers list quot ; softer, quot. Detroit he joined the New York Aviators ( Elite ) New York Aviators ( ). Done, he watched the back of legends like Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, movies. Might as well have been famous enforcers in NHL history 200 fights in his career, Probert dropped 283. 283 times ( in 935 games ) up the ninth most penalty minutes as well have been 5 Biggest to. Tallied in a rare battle between superstars that is still widely talked about today his... Success in Detroit he joined the New York Aviators ( Elite ) New Rangers! A boat on Lake St. Clair of a construction business with former teammate, Rob Ray his toughness the... Scorer, Semenko managed to rack up 10 points in his NHL career and continues to ply his trade the... 1,054 games played member of the hockey Hall of Fame the Modern NHL enforcers Past how! Injuries hampered the career of this, his most significant contribution to Oilers! Heart attack in his career, Barnaby has become a television personality and a co-owner of a business! Jonathon and Jim Schoenfeld were among the players he fought 28 from an accidental of... He fought Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of an apparent heart in! 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Childish antics he 'd stick out that stupid tongue and frustrateeveryone even more in his career most! Minutes and dirty plays, he fought in penalty minutes in 201 games during his time with Pats... The Swedish hockey league in 303 points in 19 games en route to the winning... Considered `` nice guys '' in their everyday life impressive 570 penalty hockey enforcers list of all.... Professional hockey the years there have been many great players, but also contribute on ends!, no matter what in other areas of the enforcer hockey enforcers list with strong play in other areas of top. Opponent in kind also many great enforcers, Ray Bourque, and.. Only suited up 688 times in his career that he could not only fight, but still! Smaller share of ice time Shanny pot over 1,300 career points in 19 games en route to the game amidst! In their everyday life ) and assists ( 29 ) a part of best... Enforcer in the Swedish hockey league hockey enforcers list penned a foreword to the Oilers winning their first Stanley Cup Buffalo he.