I recently read "The Code" - a well-researched but poorly written book about the history and importance of fighting in the NHL. Many were quotes by heavyweights with names like Twist, McSorely, and Probert, weaving their tales of having only one job: Fighting. These men were not counted on to score goals or contribute in any other way other than to drop the gloves in defense of their teammates. They played a couple shifts (maybe) per game, and were short on skill but high on toughness, loyalty, and selflessness. Coaches left a special spot on the roster just for a tough guy. Many made a good living doing this, and I respect them for paving their way to the NHL by doing whatever they had to do.I would love to get into a futher debate about The Code, but we'll leave that for another day. Let's talk about enforcers, a dying breed of player. Actually, scratch that and replace "dying" with "evolving". In today's fast-paced, obstruction-abhorring, salary-capped NHL, coaches must trim their rosters down to the very best the team has to offer. This, in many cases, does not include players whose sole skill is to bash faces. Players must be able to play, hence the evolution of today's NHL enforcers. These are men that are equally willing and able to provide energetic acts of pugilism, while still being able to take a regular shift and contribute to the team.
Years ago, a guy like Tony Twist had a regular NHL job as a fighter (check out the link, a great mini-doc on the role of enforcers in the pre-lockout era). His job was to be a police man of sorts, making sure no one took liberties with his teammates. Other than that, however, Twist didn't do much (career games: 445. Career points: 28). You may find a few players of his breed still in the game, but they are quickly fading, being replaced by younger, bigger players with skills to match the brawn.
Let's look at the man who is perhaps feared more than any other player today, Derek "The Boogy Man" Boogaard of the Minnesota Wild. As a player, Boogaard has little to no act
ual talent. In 32 games this season, he has two assists, 55 PIMs, and is a -11. His contribution to the team? 6'8" and 257 pounds of pure terror. His towering presence intimidates to the point that he doesn't even need to fight that much. He may have a roster spot now, but his value to the team will continue to diminish as his lack of talent becomes more and more apparent. He also has a reason to be looking over his shoulder: Enter John Scott. The towering second-year defenseman is the same size as Boogy (6'8, 255 lbs), but has skill and a niche as a mean, crease-clearing defender who is just as willing to drop the gloves as Boogaard (watch him take out renowned tough guy George Parros here). When Minnesota has an up-and-coming forward they want to dress, who are they going to scratch? Yep, Derek Boogaard. Why? They've already got someone back on the blueline (Scott) who can do Boogy's enforcer job as well as serving as a pretty effective defensive defenseman.Stay tuned for next time as we take a look at some of my favorite Modern Enforcers. Let's call it "Enforcers: The Next Generation". Guys that can knock you around, and still play a pretty decent game. Hint: Boogaard isn't on the list (but please don't tell him about this post, he scares the bajeebies outta me).
2 comments:
Part of me is sad to see the enforcers go as it was also great to watch guys like Tony Twist and Scott Parker hammering away at each other. A big fight has to be one of the top 2-3 things to energize a crowd and team. However, as you said, the game is evolving to a faster, and more finesse style of game which leaves these bruisers behind. This idea also got me to thinking about another "player" which seems to be losing their footing in the league. Seemingly gone are the days of the "Pest". Players like Matt Barnaby and Esa Tikkanen who could goad the other team into a pentaly just as quickly as Gretzky could thread a pass to an open teammate.
Sure you still have players like Cody McLeod, Steve Ott, Sean Avery, etc. but they just don't seem to have that same knack for getting into the head of the other team. Interesting to speculate the cause of this fade out as well.
My thoughts, it is partially due to the evolution of the game (as mentioned with the enforcers), but I think it's also tied to the enforcers.
I fondly look back on my days in college hockey where my role was to draw penalties and give our team an advantage. I could do this knowing that should I need it, we had a big bruising Defenseman to mangle anyone who tried to take my head off. Without these enforcers, the glorious little "pests" seem to be fading out as well.
great comments Christopher. The biggest problems I have with today's pests is their idea of their role. It seems "pest" to them means committing selfish, immature, and even dirty acts on the ice and off it. Anyone who has watched Steve Ott play knows exactly what I'm talking about. We need more players like Ian Lapperriere, who go out and muck and grind, but still play the game with class and integrity.
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