Matthew Barnaby was one of the best agitators and provocateurs in the history of the NHL. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. 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. New Jersey Patriots Ice Hockey, Morristown, New Jersey. Terry O'Reilly once scored 90 points in a season, being the first player to finish in the top ten regular season scorers while amassing at least 200 penalty minutes, and later became captain of the Boston Bruins. Even his teammates weren't safe as he infamously brawled with Billy Coutu in practice and nearly lost his ear in the process (it's all good though, he found a doctor that sewed it back on). 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. From Montreal, English Lit major. This incensed Probert and he beat the heck out ofDomi in their next tilt. Tiger Williams: The all-time leader in career penalty minutes, Tiger Williams had nearly 4000 penalty minutes in only 962 career games. Dale Hunter is one of the most controversial and skilled enforcers in the history of the National Hockey League. Alongside Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier, he helped the Islanders win four Stanley Cups in the early 1980s. Tiger played with a number of teams over his career but he is best known as the enforcer for the Vancouver Canucks when they went on their Stanley Cup run in 1982, before losing to the New York Islanders. 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. Red Horner was the enforcer for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1928 to 1940. Stu Grimson was the NHLs heavyweight champion of the 1990s. He racked up an impressive 570 penalty minutes in 201 games during his time with the Pats. 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. 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. Had he spent more time on skates, hed likely be better positioned on this list. Playing for the rough-and-tumble Philadelphia Flyers of the 1970s Schultz stood out as an enforcer on an already physical and aggressive squad. 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). 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. At 69 and 250 lbs, he is one of the largest players ever to hit the ice, and you can imagine how dominant he would be in a fight. [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. 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. Gillies was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. Outside the arena, away from the roaring bloodlust of the crowd, fighting can be lonely work. Shayne Corsonwas the kind of player that teams would be lining up for in today's game. His ability to protect star players was critical to the Islanders' four consecutive Stanley Cups. presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution 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. Wendel Clark, Craig Coxe, Tie Domi, Stu Grimson, Marty McSorley; Probert dropped gloves against them all and battered them all. Ray used this practice to enormous success during his career until the practice was banned. Here's my list of the five greatest fighters in NHL history: A List of NHL Tough Guys", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Dave Morissette", "Brantt Myhres hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Former enforcer slams NHL's drug policy - CBC Sports", "Chris Neil Archives - The Hockey Writers", "Gary Nylund hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Gino Odjick Biography, Stats and Pictures", "HOCKEY; Devils' Oliwa Is Not Just Your Average Enforcer - New York Times", "Colton Orr hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Former Avalanche enforcer Scott Parker battling effects of concussions", "Stephen Peat hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Mike Peluso Biography, Stats and Pictures", "Nathan Perrott hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Andrew Peters (b.1980) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Rich Pilon Biography, Stats and Pictures", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Larry Playfair", "Once a rugged power forward, Willi Plett still making living with his hands - The Hockey News", "Rudy Poeschek hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Red Wings' Enforcer Dennis Polonich Never Same After Brutal Attack", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Marc Potvin", "Dale Purinton hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Joel Rechlicz hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", http://canuckslegends.blogspot.ca/2008/10/dave-richter.html, "NHL Player Search - Player - Mario Roberge", "Cam Russell (b.1969) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Terry Ruskowski", "Rick Rypien hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Brent Severyn hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Neil Sheehy", "Jody Shelley hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4938, "Reports: After numerous NHL suspensions, Simon signs to play in Russia - NHL - ESPN", "Reid Simpson hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "Greg Smyth (b.1966) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com", "P.J. Schultz began wearing boxing wrist wraps in order to prevent injury to himself while fighting, but the league quickly outlawed the practice when it began to catch on. Enforcers can play either forward or defense, although they are most frequently used as wingers on the fourth forward checking line. 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. The truth is Brad May was a rock out there for whichever team he played for. 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. did you know that Simon scored29 goals in the 1999-2000 season? 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. 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. Currently he co-hosts the Smash and Twist show on 590 the Fan in St. Louis. A Boston Bruins legend, Terry O'Reilly was one of the most famous enforcers in NHL history. 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. Carbo and Gainey both won Selke trophies as the league's top defensive forwards, but Nilan was a huge part of their success. 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. [7] Some skilled players, such as legends Gordie Howe, NHL all-star Jarome Iginla, and Ryan O'Marra, are also capable fighters and can function effectively as their own enforcer. Enforcers are seen as working-class superheroesunderstated types with an alter ego willing to do the sport's most dangerous work to protect others. 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. 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. Ray had 15 straight seasons of 90 or more penalty minutes, including back to back 350 penalty minute seasons from 1990-1992. When he was done, he'd stick out that stupid tongue and frustrate everyone even more. Schultz brawled with the games best including five duels with Terry OReilly. 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]. Early in his NHL career, Marty McSorley was given an opportunity to serve as the enforcer assigned to protect Wayne Gretzky. Rob Ray created the fighting technique where players would remove their jersey and shoulder pads to prevent their opponents from grabbing ahold of them. 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. McSorely was charged with assault as a result of the incident and was eventually found guilty. While the NHLs restrictions have certainly curtailed fighting significantly, the role of the enforcer remains a valuable asset for teams to have. Matthew Barnaby Thoughhe was known more for his pugilistic skills and wild acts of violence that seemingly came out of nowhere. Its only appropriate the NHLs all-time leader in penalty minutes finds his way to the top of the list. Dial up a Probert fight video on YouTube and watch the way he grips onto and tees of on opponents. 15 15. Considering this, there's likely a great deal of fans out there who watch hockey just to see the best fighters in the NHL really go at it. Republication or distribution of this content is Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 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. Over the course of his career, Probert dropped gloves 283 times (in 935 games). 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. During one playoff campaign, the Hammer spent 139 minutes in the penalty boxin 17 games. All 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. 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. You'd think May was a 50 goal scorer with the way he deked Ray Bourque out of his jock-strap. He also owned a chain of bars named Twister's Iron Bar Saloon, with locations in St. Charles and Imperial Missouri. 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. Dave Brown During the heyday of enforcers during the 1980s, Dave Brown entered the scene as an immediate heavyweight contender. expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto 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. Me neither Simon was actually a veryreliableforward in his earlier years in the league. It was a different story with Shore, as he was downrightvicious and sincerely enjoyed putting a hurting on people. The Hamilton, Ontario native accumulated fourth-most penalty minutes in NHL history. HockeyBuzz.com - Zak MacMillan - CBJ G59 v Edmonton Oilers - New Favourite Landing Spot NHL Hockey Trade Rumors 2 DAYS AGO HOCKEYBUZZ.COM Jets get rolled 5-1 at home by Avalanche WINNIPEG -. By Alex Capstick. When he was done, he'd stick out that stupid tongue and frustrateeveryone even more. . The Chief fought the leagues best fighters with frequency, including multiple bouts with Tie Domi, Bob Boughner, and Marty McSorley. Director: Jay Baruchel | Stars: Seann William Scott, Alison Pill, Marc-Andr Grondin, Liev Schreiber Votes: 14,115 2. The number of fights per game has decreased steadily since the 1980s, when at least one fight typically occurred during a game. Barnaby was involved in 205 fights over the course of his career with 7 different teams. Who is the greatest enforcer of them all? He was also asturdydefenseman that could movethe puck and had a cannon of a shot from the point. Tahir Tie Domi looks like a guy ready to punch your face in, doesnt he? Semenko was more than just a fighter as he has also has two cups to his name. How do the rankings stack up? While no hockey player is officially listed as "enforcer" on the depth chart, these guys might as well have been. Dave Manson was a dependable force on D for an impressive 20 NHL seasons. Sure, he finished his career with an astounding 3,043 penalty minutes in 688 games, but he was also part of one of the best "shut down" lines of all-time whenhe was paired up with Guy Carbonneau and Bob Gainey. 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. MAYDAY! "[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. Derek Boogaard died at the age of 28 from an accidental mixture of painkillers and alcohol. rights reserved. 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. McSorley would go on to lead the NHL in penalty minutes during the 1992-93 season, where he had 15 fighting majors. While never much of a contributor on the offensive end of the ice, Tony Twist mastered the art of throwing hands. Twist was known to battle with the leagues biggest and baddest fighters, taking on fellow enforcers like Rob Ray, Bob Probert, and five fights against Bob McKenzie. Enforcers are expected to react particularly harshly to violence against star players or goalies. [1] A year earlier, Bob Probert had died in July 2010, of an apparent heart attack in his mid-40s. OReilly wasnt a mere pugilist, however. Robert Alan Probert (June 5, 1965 July 5, 2010) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. There is a number of subplots involving the players and their childish antics. 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. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. 181 likes. Tiger Williams, Bob Probert, Chris Simon, and Tom Wilson are examples of enforcers who showed an occasional scoring flair, with Williams and Probert playing in the midseason All-Star Game. [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. 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[10], Instead, more well-rounded players are expected to contribute aspects of the enforcer role. 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). These warriors serve as the on-ice police force that . In the current season, fights have occurred in only 38% of NHL games, the lowest of any point since the 1968-69 season. 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. While his name conjures up images of the Michael J. Foxs Marty McFly character in Back to the Future, Marty McSorley was the furthest thing from the diminutive Californian who time-traveled in the DeLorean with Doc. In 958 career games, Gillies recorded 319 goals, 378 assists, and 1,023 penalty minutes. 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In NHL history puck and had a cannon of a contributor on fourth! Was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002, entertainment and crazy facts even more the of!