While the modern era of the NHL favors multi-dimensional athletes, most teams used to carry a few players who were simply there to fight. These hard men were often employed to give their team a needed spark, while other times it was their duty to enforce the rules when officials couldn’t.
Some called them “goons,” while others referred to them as “enforcers.” No matter what their designation, one thing was certain: only a fool or a madman wanted to wind up on the business end of their fists.
Whether you’re a would-be brawler or a fan of the more violent side of the NHL, here are some of the league’s most vicious fighters to admire and/or emulate.
1. Dave “The Hammer” Schultz
The two-time Stanley Cup winner holds the NHL record for most penalty minutes in a season (472), as well as the most penalty minutes in a single playoff game (42). He earned the “Hammer” moniker for his ability to effectively beat opponents into submission, and he was a founding members of the feared “Broad Street Bullies” for the Philadelphia Flyers. By the time his career had finished, he had amassed an impressive seven 10-fight seasons (including two 20-fight seasons).
2. Tony Twist
Even though his NHL career was cut short by a motorcycle accident and a broken pelvis, Twist managed to carve out a reputation as one of the league’s toughest goons by putting together six consecutive seasons with 10 or more fights. Along the way, he dropped gloves with fellow skating pugilists such as Bob McKenzie and Bob Probert. His biggest victory, however, came in court when he sued comic book creator Todd McFarlane for using his name and likeness without permission, picking up $5 million in an out-of-court settlement.
3. Tie Domi
Standing only 5’10”, this Maple Leafs right wing was shorter than the average NHL brawler, but that didn’t stop him from earning more penalty minutes than any other player in franchise history. A veteran of 274 fights and 16 seasons, Domi retired with the third most penalty minutes in NHL history. His sucker punch that rendered defenceman Ulf Samuelsson unconscious is still regarded by many as the most vicious cheap shot in NHL history.
4. Bob Probert
Serious fans of NHL fisticuffs often refer to this half of Detroit’s “Bruise Brothers” as the toughest enforcer to ever play the game. Not only did he possess tremendous punching power and the ability to absorb punishment, but he was also feared throughout the league for his fighting prowess. He participated in 239 tilts during his career, often butting heads with other formidable punchers such as Craig Coxe, Tie Domi, Marty McSorley, and former teammate Joey Kocur. After his untimely death in 2010, an examination showed him to be suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease caused by repeated trauma to the brain.
5. Chris “Knuckles” Nilan
Anyone with the nickname “Knuckles” deserves a place on this list, and Nilan remains one of just nine players to earn more than 3,000 penalty minutes in their career. In addition to winning the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens and being selected to the 1991 All-Star Game, this punishing brawler holds the record for the highest average penalty minutes per game at 4.42. His most notable achievement as an enforcer came in 1991, when he received 42 penalty minutes in a regular-season game for a misconduct, a game misconduct, two majors, and six minors.
