Enforcer (hockey)
Encyclopedia
Enforcer is an unofficial role in ice hockey
. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "fighter", "tough guy", or "goon". NHL
players regarded as enforcers include Tiger Williams
, Tony Twist
, Bob Probert
, Dave Semenko
, Dave Schultz, Tie Domi
, Dave Brown, Joey Kocur, Clark Gillies
, Stu Grimson
, and Terry O'Reilly
.
An enforcer's job is to deter and respond to dirty or violent play by the opposition. When such play occurs, the enforcer is expected to respond aggressively, by fighting
or checking
the offender. Enforcers are expected to react particularly harshly to violence against star players or goalies.
Enforcers are different from pests
, players who seek to agitate opponents and distract them from the game, without necessarily fighting them. 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).
level, teams generally do not carry more than one player whose primary role is enforcer. Enforcers can play either forward or defense, although they are most frequently used as wingers on the 4th forward checking line. Prized for their aggression, size, checking ability, and fists, enforcers are typically less gifted at skill areas of the game than their teammates. Enforcers are typically among the lowest scoring players on the team and receive a smaller share of ice time. They are also not highly paid compared to other players, and tend to bounce around from team to team.
Some players combine aspects of the enforcer role with strong play in other areas of the game. Bob Probert
and Chris Simon
are examples of enforcers who showed an occasional scoring flair. Sometimes enforcers can do their job by virtue of their reputation. 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. As well, some skilled players, such as legends Gordie Howe
and current NHL all-star Jarome Iginla
, are also capable fighters and can function effectively as their own enforcer. A "Gordie Howe hat trick
" is a player scoring a goal, assisting on a goal, and being involved in a fight during one game.
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 2003–04 season.
died at the age of 28 from a mixture of painkillers and alcohol. Rick Rypien
died at the age of 27 from what was later confirmed as a suicide. 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. Retired enforcer Georges Laraque
has suggested the NHLPA
provide counselling to enforcers, but 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.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "fighter", "tough guy", or "goon". NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
players regarded as enforcers include Tiger Williams
Tiger Williams
David James "Tiger" Williams is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League from 1974–75 to 1987–88. He is the NHL's career leader in penalty minutes.-NHL career:...
, Tony Twist
Tony Twist
Anthony Rory Twist is a former professional ice hockey player. He played left wing in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues and Quebec Nordiques, but was also a feared enforcer. He now is a co-host in post-game shows after Blues games on Fox Sports Midwest...
, Bob Probert
Bob Probert
Robert Alan Probert was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. Probert played for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks...
, Dave Semenko
Dave Semenko
David John Semenko is a retired hockey player who played for the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, and Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL...
, Dave Schultz, Tie Domi
Tie Domi
Tahir "Tie" Domi is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. During a sixteen-year NHL career when he was known for his role as an enforcer, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets....
, Dave Brown, Joey Kocur, Clark Gillies
Clark Gillies
Clark "Jethro" Gillies is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He provided both physical presence and offensive punch for the NHL's New York Islanders during their four-year run as Stanley Cup champions. In a career that spanned 958 games, Gillies...
, Stu Grimson
Stu Grimson
A. Stuart Grimson is a former Canadian ice hockey forward. Grimson played in the National Hockey League from 1989 to 2002. During this time, he played for the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings,...
, and Terry O'Reilly
Terry O'Reilly
Terence Joseph James O'Reilly is a retired ice hockey right winger, who played for the NHL's Boston Bruins, and one of the most effective enforcers in NHL history....
.
An enforcer's job is to deter and respond to dirty or violent play by the opposition. When such play occurs, the enforcer is expected to respond aggressively, by fighting
Fighting in ice hockey
Fighting in ice hockey is an established tradition of the sport in North America, with a long history involving many levels of amateur and professional play and including some notable individual fights. Although a definite source of criticism, it is a considerable draw for the sport, and some fans...
or checking
Checking (ice hockey)
Checking in ice hockey is any one of a number of defensive techniques. It is usually not a penalty.- Types :There are various types of checking:...
the offender. Enforcers are expected to react particularly harshly to violence against star players or goalies.
Enforcers are different from pests
Pest (hockey)
In ice hockey, a pest is a characterization of player who attempts to antagonize opponent players either by physical play or verbally.Pests employ legal, illegal, or borderline tactics to accomplish their goals. Some common tactics include trash talk or slashing and hooking while referees are not...
, players who seek to agitate opponents and distract them from the game, without necessarily fighting them. 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).
National Hockey League
At the NHLNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
level, teams generally do not carry more than one player whose primary role is enforcer. Enforcers can play either forward or defense, although they are most frequently used as wingers on the 4th forward checking line. Prized for their aggression, size, checking ability, and fists, enforcers are typically less gifted at skill areas of the game than their teammates. Enforcers are typically among the lowest scoring players on the team and receive a smaller share of ice time. They are also not highly paid compared to other players, and tend to bounce around from team to team.
Some players combine aspects of the enforcer role with strong play in other areas of the game. Bob Probert
Bob Probert
Robert Alan Probert was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. Probert played for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks...
and Chris Simon
Chris Simon
Chris Simon is a former Canadian professional ice hockey left winger whose last club was UHC Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League . He played 15 seasons in the NHL.-Minor hockey:...
are examples of enforcers who showed an occasional scoring flair. Sometimes enforcers can do their job by virtue of their reputation. Clark Gillies
Clark Gillies
Clark "Jethro" Gillies is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He provided both physical presence and offensive punch for the NHL's New York Islanders during their four-year run as Stanley Cup champions. In a career that spanned 958 games, 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. As well, some skilled players, such as legends Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
and current NHL all-star Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
, are also capable fighters and can function effectively as their own enforcer. A "Gordie Howe hat trick
Gordie Howe hat trick
In ice hockey, a Gordie Howe hat trick is a variation on the hat-trick, wherein a player scores a goal, records an assist, and gets in a fight all in one game. It is named after Gordie Howe, well known for his skill at both scoring and fighting....
" is a player scoring a goal, assisting on a goal, and being involved in a fight during one game.
Changing role
The role of the enforcer has diminished since rule enforcement changed following the 2004–05 NHL lockout to increase game speed and scoring. With fighting decreased, teams are less inclined to keep a roster spot available for a one-dimensional fighter who is a liability as a scorer and defender. This has led to a decrease in the number of players whose predominant role is enforcer. Instead, more well-rounded players are expected to contribute aspects of the enforcer role. Even so, intimidation and fighting continues to be utilized as a strategy in the NHL. In the 2007-08 NHL Season2007-08 NHL season
The 2007–08 NHL season was the 91st season of operation of the National Hockey League . It began on September 29, 2007, with the regular season ending April 6, 2008...
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 2003–04 season.
Summer 2011 enforcer suicides
During the summer of 2011, three NHL enforcers died. Derek BoogaardDerek Boogaard
Derek Leendert Boogaard was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played for the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was of Flemish descent. Known primarily as a fighter and enforcer, his nicknames included "Boogeyman" and "The Mountie"...
died at the age of 28 from a mixture of painkillers and alcohol. Rick Rypien
Rick Rypien
Rick Joseph Rypien was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who spent parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks. After a major junior career of four years with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League, he was signed by the minor professional Manitoba...
died at the age of 27 from what was later confirmed as a suicide. Wade Belak
Wade Belak
Wade Belak was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and defenceman. He was drafted 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
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. Retired enforcer Georges Laraque
Georges Laraque
Georges Laraque is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens before his contract was bought out in 2010. He is also a host for CFRN and deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada. During his NHL career he played for the Edmonton Oilers,...
has suggested the NHLPA
NHLPA
NHLPA is an initialism for:* The National Hockey League Players Association, a players' union* The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000-Video games:...
provide counselling to enforcers, but sports journalist and writer Roy Macgregor
Roy MacGregor
Roy MacGregor is a Canadian author of fiction and non-fiction. He grew up in Huntsville, Ontario. His work tends to focus on Canadian topics; Shelagh Rogers has dubbed him the "heir to Peter Gzowski"...
opines that in light of recent tragic events there should be more done about it, including eliminating the role altogether.
See also
- List of NHL enforcers
- Violence in ice hockeyViolence in ice hockeyViolence has been a part of ice hockey since at least the early 1900s. According to the book Hockey: A People's History, in 1904 alone, four players were killed during hockey games from the frequent brawls and violent stickwork....
— about violent acts that are prohibited by all ice hockey leagues