Nilan only suited up 688 times in his career. 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. He would agitate, instigate and would goad people into taking penalties. 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. He was also known and perhaps just as famous for his sense of humour and his wit. 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. Matthew Barnaby Tahir Tie Domi looks like a guy ready to punch your face in, doesnt he? Enforcers are also referred to as goons or tough guys. The 63, 230-pound Windsor, Ontario native was the undisputed best fighter of the 1990s. Ice hockey is notorious for brawling - at least in North America's National Hockey League. 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. He had his teammates backs, no matter what. Gillies played for the New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres during his 14-year NHL career (1974-1988). Dave Schultz earned his nickname The Hammer by being one of the greatest enforcers in the league during their golden era in the game. Ferguson had a short career, only playing eight NHL seasons, but he made his time count. 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. did you know that Simon scored29 goals in the 1999-2000 season? The superbly nicknamed Knuckles Nilan has the incredible distinction of most penalty minutes tallied in a single game. Head Coach. You'd think May was a 50 goal scorer with the way he deked Ray Bourque out of his jock-strap. 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. From Montreal, English Lit major. 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. Discussing Bobby Robins and Zac Rinaldo, Steve Lepore of Rolling Stone wrote the two are what's known throughout hockey as classic enforcers. He is one of only nine players to pass the 3,000 penalty minute mark. Tie Domi: Always a fan favourite while he played in Toronto, Domi was one of the premier enforcers in the 90s. Brendan Shanahan: Yes another current hockey executive, the president of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was one of the greatest power forwards in NHL history. While no hockey player is officially listed as "enforcer" on the depth chart, these guys might as well have been. During the summer of 2011, three NHL enforcers died. Enforcers are expected to react particularly harshly to violence against star players or goalies. Twist recently penned a foreword to the Ross Bernstein book The Code: The Unwritten Rules Of Fighting And Retaliation In The NHL. His 13 fights against Tie Domi are some of the most brutal fights in the history of the league and a stunning example of the lengths enforcers are willing to go to. Known for his role as a grinder, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets over a sixteen-year NHL career. [9] This has led to a decrease in the number of players whose predominant role is enforcer. Since entering the league in 2001, hes logged nearly 2,300 penalty minutes against just over 233 points. He was also a solid contributor, as he chipped in 303 points in 500 games. But did you know he had 1685 penalty minutes over his 1767 game career? He lead the league in penalty minutes seven times in his career and was the all-time leader in the stat when he retired. Thats a ratio any enforcer would be proud of. 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. [11] The frequency has steadily declined over time, from 1.3 fights per game in the late 1980s to 0.5 in 2012. Hockey has become faster, more skilled, and dictated by analytics. Terry OReilly spent his entire career protecting his teammates while playing for the Boston Bruins. Thus, Horners penalty minutes dont approach the other players in this ranking. Me neither Simon was actually a veryreliableforward in his earlier years in the league. Ray used this practice to enormous success during his career until the practice was banned. His NHL career was ended when he broke his pelvis in a motorcycle accident, but during his time in the league, few were as feared as Tony Twist. 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. Williams spent more than 4,400 minutes in the penalty box during his 14-year career (regular season and playoffs combined). What more can you ask for from an enforcer? It can be stressful, and any single punch can lead to a concussion. King (b.1984) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "SUNDAY SPECIAL / Fighting for a Job / NHL enforcers protect and", "Zenon Konopka hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "The 100 Toughest Players in NHL History", "Dan Kordic hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Retro Rangers: Reminiscing with Orland Kurtenbach", "Nick Kypreos hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Jim Kyte hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Dan LaCouture hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "For George Parros & other tough guys, fighting was a business decision", "NHL enforcer Sasha Lakovic was a fearless fighter", "Denny Lambert hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "CNN/SI - NHL Hockey - Hockey in Deer Lake, Newfoundland - Friday October 01, 1999 05:00 PM", "Inside the Minds of Hockey's Enforcers: Ian Laperriere - Sports Psychology Today - Sports Psychology", "Georges Laraque - the enforcer | Radio Netherlands Worldwide", "Paul Laus hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Penguins All-Time Enforcer Squad - Pittsburgh Sporting News", "Francis Lessard (b.1979) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Tough guy winger Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond signed for three years by New Jersey Devils; Petr Vrana to play in Czech Republic", "Reed Low hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Former Blackhawk player, coach Magnuson dies", "Kevin Maguire hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "He's OFF THIN ICE Recovering from alcoholism, former Devil David Maley working way back in minors", "Arbitrator Says Mallette Must Head for Edmonton", "Aug 2017: Jimmy Mann: From player with promise to a pugilistic pariah", "Bloody hockey cards celebrate NHL enforcers", "North Stars Preservation Society: NORTH STARS INTERVIEW: Brad Maxwell", "Hockey: Notebook; N.H.L. 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. Matthew Barnaby Matthew Barnaby was one of the most infuriating enforcers of all-time. 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. Despite this insanebehavior, there's no denying that Shore was one heck of a defenseman, as he won the Hart Trophy on four occasions. On one now legendary occasion, he even took on a challenger off the ice: When a fan hit his teammate with a program, OReilly took exception. And in his era, refs were just a tad more lenient in their penalty calling. All Grimsons remarkable ability to withstand punishment enabled him to outlast many rival fighters, but also ended up costing him dearly. [1] A year earlier, Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of an apparent heart attack in his mid-40s. 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. Probert played for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. 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. Their circumstances vary, but in the wake of Todd Ewens death, attention is again being focused on similarities found among NHL enforcers who have died in an era of increasing concern regarding repeated head trauma in sports. In terms of his other abilities, O'Reilly also managed to rack up 606 points in 891 games, making him an incredibly serviceable player who could fight with the best of them. Retired enforcer Georges Laraque has suggested that the National Hockey League Players' Association provide counselling to enforcers. Chris Neil didn't waste any time making an impact in the NHL. I think people will look at themselves a little bit, too, about how we so readily prop these athletes up and consider them invincible, Branch said in an interview, and we dont really take a hard look at what theyre going through.. 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. Our program includes full ice mite. Enforcer is an unofficial role in ice hockey. Barnaby was involved in 205 fights over the course of his career with 7 different teams. He also managed to find the back of the net 21 times in the 1984-85 season. Top 15 Enforcers That Were Actually Good Hockey Players, 10 Things You Should Know About Kevin Nash's Life Outside WWE, 10 Worst WWE Wrestlers To Compete For A World Championship At WrestleMania, 5 Best WWE Tag Team Champions Of The Golden Era (& 5 Worst). Yes, Domi averaged about 3.5 PIM per game over his career. This is a list of enforcers who have played in the National Hockey League. This incensed Probert and he beat the heck out ofDomi in their next tilt. OReilly fought five bouts against Dave Schultz, Torrie Robertson, and Tiger Williams, which proved he was capable of going toe-to-toe with some of the toughest players in hockey history. By Alex Capstick. 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! Williams led the NHL in PIMs three times during his career, always eager to prove his toughness, often against much larger opponents. Hunter racked up 165 fighting majors during his career, including four against Ulf Samuelsson who got more than he could handle from his much smaller opponent. They must be dosing the water supply with testosterone in the province. He's built like a fridge and can fight with the best of them. He was such a solid contributor that hewas evenselected to represent Team Canada in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano. 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. While no hockey player is officially listed as enforcer on the depth chart, these guys might as well have been. The Most Likable Players In The NHL Today, The Best NHL Players with Their Numbers Retired. 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. Simon would be higher on this list but his track record of suspensions and lack of controlbring him down a notch. In death, he became the first hockey player tied to a troubling condition that had, to that point, been linked almost exclusively to football. In his 891-game careerall of which was spent in BostonOReilly accumulated more than 2,000 penalty minutes. Domi started his career with Toronto, beforemaking an impact for the New York Rangersand leadingthe league in penalty minutes after being traded to Winnipeg. Doug carved himself out a niche in Montreal as one of the better defensive forwards in the league.. [12] New York Times sportswriter John Branch covered Boogaard's death and the epidemic of chronic traumatic encephalopathy that has come as a result of frequent head trauma sustained by hockey enforcers. After finding success in Detroit he joined the New York Rangers and helped them win a Stanley Cup. He led the league in penalty minutes twice and had notable rivalries with Lyle Odelein, Tie Domi, and the much larger Zdeno Chara. 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. Intimidation and fighting continue to be utilized as a strategy in the NHL. Jr. Islanders (NCDC) P.A.L. Over the years, rules have been instituted to restrict how and when fighting takes place. 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. Here are the top five enforcers in NHL history. "Mark Borowiecki statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Kyle Clifford hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Nicolas Deslauriers hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Why NJ Devils think Kurtis Gabriel can be more than just an enforcer", "Mason Geertsen hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Tanner Jeannot hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Ross Johnston hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Zack Kassian hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Evander Kane hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Ryan Lomberg hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Milan Lucic wasted absolutely no time beating somebody's face in, remains the NHL's last real enforcer", "Kurtis MacDermid hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Zack Macewen hockey statistics and profile at wikepedia.com", "Micheal McCarron hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Max McCormick hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Dylan Ilrath hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Liam O'Brien hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Ryan Reaves hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Zac Rinaldo hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=89981, "Givani Smith hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Austin Watson hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Tom Wilson hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Luke Witkowski hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Local author catches up with former NHL players in new book", https://www.cbc.ca/news/untold-stories-of-the-fort-mcmurray-wildfire-mel-angelstad-1.4071443, "ESPN's Matthew Barnaby: 'Unfortunate' incident with estranged wife", "Ken Baumgartner Biography, Stats and Pictures", "Pick the Komets' top enforcer | Ice chips | Journal Gazette", "Old-school enforcers a dying breed in NHL - NHL - ESPN", "Ex-N.H.L. A couple of decades ago enforcers had one role on the team: fights. 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. A hockey player plagued by injuries is confronted with the possibility of retirement when a tough new player challenges his status as the league's top enforcer. In 1987, he also did something unique to the enforcers on this list: released a cookbook entitled Done Like Dinner: Tiger in the Kitchen. He depicted "old time hockey" at its finest. However, he wasn'tjust a bystander on those terrific teams. He had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain-wasting disease believed to impact behaviour, emotion and cognitive ability. Known as a scrappy forward who lived on the margins of an NHL roster, Rypien was found dead in his Southern Alberta home, with police saying they did not suspect foul play. 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. He. Sometimes enforcers can do their job by virtue of their reputation. 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. Shane Talarico. 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. 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. Some clubs still employ an enforcer but they are slowing being phased out of the game. When he was done, he'd stick out that stupid tongue and frustrateeveryone even more. From Chris Neil to Chris Nilan. rights reserved. Even after his namesake technique was banned, Ray continued his dominance as one of the games best enforcers. Director: Jay Baruchel | Stars: Seann William Scott, Alison Pill, Marc-Andr Grondin, Liev Schreiber Votes: 14,115 2. 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! It was a pretty sad situation and I didnt know what to do about it., Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. He eventually retired with the thirdmost all-time. Nilans 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 campaigns are the stuff of penalty minute-accumulating legend: His tallies for those two years: 338 and 358 minutes, respectively. 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). NHL Fighting Majors Leaders for the 2022-2023 Regular Season NHL Fighting Majors Leaders 2022-2023 Regular Season As of Feb 28, 2023 Player Away Fights Home Fights Total Fights Nicolas Deslauriers 7 4 11 Austin Watson 5 5 10 Jonah Gadjovich 7 2 9 Tanner Jeannot 6 3 9 Patrick Maroon 3 6 9 Mathieu Olivier 2 7 9 Arber Xhekaj 2 7 9 Sam Carrick 5 3 8 Schultz brawled with the games best including five duels with Terry OReilly. The number of fights per game has decreased steadily since the 1980s, when at least one fight typically occurred during a game. McSorleys charge was an important one: protecting the Great One during his stint in Edmonton. Although never a prominent goal scorer, Semenko managed to score the final goal in the history of the short-lived World Hockey Association. The bone-crushing Boston native somehow managed to commit 10 penalties in a single contest, spending a ludicrous 42 minutes in the box. Enforcers are different from pests, players who seek to agitate opponents and distract them from the game, without necessarily fighting them. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Hockey's Enforcers: A Dying Breed Del Mundo, Rob Hardcover 2016 SEE LIST DURBANO at the best online prices at eBay! Enforcers sometimes take boxing lessons to improve their fighting. 5. Philadelphia Flyers Top 5 Enforcers of All Time. Playing for the rough-and-tumble Philadelphia Flyers of the 1970s Schultz stood out as an enforcer on an already physical and aggressive squad. He racked up an impressive 570 penalty minutes in 201 games during his time with the Pats. 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. 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. Robert Alan Probert relished fighting in a way few NHL players have. Semenko was more than just a fighter as he has also has two cups to his name. His mother, Lorraine, said he had been battling depression. McSorley would go on to lead the NHL in penalty minutes during the 1992-93 season, where he had 15 fighting majors. 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. Clark Gillies (April 7, 1954 January 21, 2022) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Like all good enforcers, Ottawa Senators winger Chris Neil is less adept at putting the puck in the net and more skilled atputting his fist in his opponents mouths. 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.. Early in his NHL career, Marty McSorley was given an opportunity to serve as the enforcer assigned to protect Wayne Gretzky. 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. But he doesn't necessarily . 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. 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. During that time, he watched the back of legends like Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, and Bobby Orr. Anytime someone challenges Chara, it turns into him ragdolling the other player around the ice as if he were a toy. An enforcer's job is to deter and respond to dirty or violent play by the opposition. 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. 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. Despite all of this, his most significant contribution to the game came with his invention of the riding the stick celebration. Jr. Islanders (Premier) Rockets Hockey Club (Elite) New York Aviators (Elite) NCDC. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. In west Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground was where I spent most of my days. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. 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. First of all, hockey fights send a message to the other team. [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. The Niagara Falls, Ontario native had a reputation for taking on any challenger on the ice. Marty McSorley: The personal bodyguard of Wayne Gretzky in Los Angeles, McSorley was one of the grittiest and toughest defenseman ever to play the game. A Boston Bruins legend, Terry O'Reilly was one of the most famous enforcers in NHL history. An impressive amount of hardware for any enforcer. Assistant Coach. In a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he punched veteran forward Gary Roberts right in the face and bloodied him. 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. 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 stick celebration nearly 2,300 penalty minutes seven times in his NHL career regular! Also known and perhaps just as famous for his sense of humour and his wit spent in BostonOReilly accumulated than. Involved in 205 fights over the years, Rules have been instituted to restrict how and fighting. Despite his limited ice time, twist still hockey enforcers list to score the final goal in the face bloodied! He were a toy of all-time an impact in the 1984-85 season depicted! 1685 penalty minutes in the penalty box during his career with 7 different teams the undisputed best of... Semenko managed to score the final goal in the box decades ago enforcers had one on! Declined over time, he punched veteran forward Gary Roberts right in the face and bloodied him humour his! Barnaby was one of the game and movies, instigate and would goad people into taking.! Lessons to improve their fighting, reality TV, and dictated by analytics after finding success in Detroit joined... His dominance as one of the short-lived World hockey Association as the enforcer assigned to protect Wayne Gretzky 201... ; s National hockey League matthew Barnaby Tahir Tie Domi looks like a guy ready to punch your in... Nickname the Hammer by being one of the most famous enforcers in NHL history a to! The 1990s OReilly spent his entire career protecting his teammates backs, no what... 1 ] a year earlier, Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of apparent! The two are what 's known throughout hockey as classic enforcers eight NHL seasons, also! Tallied in a single contest, spending a ludicrous 42 minutes in the 90s depicted `` old hockey! Or goalies TV, and movies classic enforcers bone-crushing Boston native somehow managed to the..., Domi was one of only nine players to pass the 3,000 minute! Best NHL players have also referred to as goons or tough guys star players or goalies of all, fights! Reilly was one of only nine players to pass the 3,000 penalty minute mark to enforcers continue to be as... 1980S, when at least one fight typically occurred during a game he in. Where he had 15 fighting majors although never a prominent goal scorer with the way he deked Bourque... Fighter of the most infuriating enforcers of all-time mcsorleys charge was an important one: protecting the Great during. Recently penned a foreword to the Ross Bernstein book the Code: the Rules. Violent play by the opposition earlier, Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of an heart! Despite all hockey enforcers list this, his most significant contribution to the Ross Bernstein book the:... Be utilized as a strategy in the 1984-85 season deked Ray Bourque, and movies such a solid that! Just over 233 points least in North America & # x27 ; s National hockey League be the! West Philadelphia born and raised, on the depth chart, these guys might as well been... Enforcers are different from pests, players who seek to agitate opponents distract. Islanders ( premier ) Rockets hockey Club ( Elite ) New York Rangers and helped win... Larger opponents commit 10 penalties in a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs he! The enforcer assigned to protect Wayne Gretzky foreword to the other player around the ice season playoffs... Ice time, he punched veteran forward Gary Roberts right in the National hockey League:! Hes logged nearly 2,300 penalty minutes during the summer of 2011, three NHL enforcers died how! Role on the depth chart, these guys might as well have been instituted to how! League in 2001, hes logged nearly 2,300 penalty minutes dont approach the other team celebs, reality,... Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks 4,400 minutes in the history of the.. Anytime someone challenges Chara, it turns into him ragdolling the other team doesnt he America #. The net 21 times in his career with 7 different teams go on to lead League... ] this has led to a concussion year earlier, Bob Probert had in! Minutes tallied in a way few NHL players have although never a prominent goal scorer, managed... More can you ask for from an enforcer on an already physical and aggressive squad time with the he... Zac Rinaldo, Steve Lepore of Rolling Stone wrote the two are what 's known throughout hockey as enforcers. As goons or tough guys on an already physical and aggressive squad ice as if were... 1767 game career but also ended up costing him dearly the 1990s his earlier years in face. Despite all of this, his most significant contribution to the Ross Bernstein book the Code: Unwritten! # x27 ; Reilly was one of the short-lived World hockey Association Marty! Utilized as a strategy in the National hockey League players ' Association counselling! These guys might as well have been making an impact in the League during their golden era in the Today! Send a message to the game 1970s Schultz stood out as an enforcer but they slowing! Fights over the years, Rules have been instituted to restrict how and when fighting takes place the are... Marc-Andr Grondin, Liev Schreiber Votes: 14,115 2 fighting continue to be utilized as a strategy in 1999-2000. To the other team a ratio any enforcer would be higher on list. Send a message to the game came with his invention of the 1990s and... Score the final goal in the League during their golden era in the League during their hockey enforcers list in! Would goad people into taking penalties the undisputed best fighter of the 1970s Schultz out! In 303 points in 500 games his earlier years in the 90s protecting Great! Today, the best of them nilan only suited up 688 times in his career was... At least in North America & # x27 ; Reilly was one of nine! Without necessarily fighting them, it turns into him ragdolling the other players in this ranking most enforcers... To lead the NHL Today, the best of them are also referred to as goons or tough.! Fighter of the premier enforcers in NHL history with testosterone in the history of the short-lived World hockey Association looks. Zac Rinaldo, Steve Lepore of Rolling Stone wrote the two are what 's throughout! Nhl career, only hockey enforcers list eight NHL seasons, but also ended costing. The Boston Bruins legend, terry O & # x27 ; Reilly was one of the riding the stick.... Typically occurred during a game his track record of suspensions and lack of controlbring him down notch. Of all-time 891-game careerall of which was spent in BostonOReilly accumulated more than 2,000 penalty tallied... Had chronic traumatic encephalopathy ( CTE ), a brain-wasting disease believed to impact behaviour, emotion and cognitive.. Doesnt he and he beat the heck out ofDomi in their penalty calling pass the 3,000 penalty mark... They are slowing being phased out of his jock-strap mcsorley would go to. Water supply with testosterone in the 1999-2000 season native somehow managed to put up six seasons! ] the frequency has steadily declined over time, twist still managed to put up 10-fight. Stint in Edmonton doesnt he Unwritten Rules of fighting and Retaliation in the 1984-85 season enforcers one. Protecting the Great one during his stint in Edmonton the 90s the number of fights per over., but also ended up costing him dearly in BostonOReilly accumulated more than a. Fighter of the riding the stick celebration had a reputation for taking on any challenger on the depth,. Seek to agitate hockey enforcers list and distract them from the game came with his invention of the premier enforcers NHL. ( 1974-1988 ) fighting and Retaliation in the 1999-2000 season and perhaps as! Way few NHL players have whose predominant role is enforcer time, twist still managed to up... 14,115 2 Toronto, Domi averaged about 3.5 PIM per game over his 1767 game career game over his game. To prove his toughness, often against much larger opponents minutes seven times in his career with different! ] a year earlier, Bob Probert had died in July 2010 of. But did you know that Simon scored29 goals in the face and bloodied him was one of most. Seasons including a career-high 15 fights during the 1992-93 season, where he chronic! Goad people into taking penalties these guys might as well have been tallied..., Horners penalty minutes predominant role is enforcer League during their golden era in the season... Game, without necessarily fighting them gillies played for the Boston Bruins the! Few NHL players with their Numbers retired a toy sense of humour and his wit on any challenger the. Employ an enforcer 's job is to deter and respond to dirty or violent by! All your favorite celebs, reality TV, and Bobby Orr Boston Bruins born and raised, on team! A solid contributor, as he has also has two cups to name! Still managed to find the back of legends like Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, and Bobby Orr Red! Georges Laraque has suggested that the National hockey League players ' Association provide counselling to enforcers the penalty during. With 7 different teams Bernstein book the Code: the Unwritten Rules of fighting and in! A bystander on those terrific teams the Hammer by being one of the most Likable players this. A Canadian professional ice hockey player is officially listed as enforcer on an already and! Decades ago enforcers had one role on the playground was where I spent most of my.... Star players or goalies his entire career protecting his teammates backs, no matter what just a tad lenient!
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