Some hockey nicknames are lighthearted or clever. And then there are the ones that sound like they’d check you through a brick wall and not even apologize afterward.
From bone-crunching enforcers to all-time greats with terrifying alter egos, these nicknames didn’t just stick—they struck fear. Here are the most aggressively intimidating NHL nicknames to ever hit the ice.
19. “The Boogeyman” – Derek Boogaard
Standing 6’7″ and built like a tank, Boogaard lived up to his horror-movie moniker. Opponents knew if they poked the bear, they’d have to deal with the consequences.
18. “The Hammer” – Dave Schultz
There’s nothing subtle about being called The Hammer. Schultz dished out punishment like it was a full-time job—and technically, it was.
17. “The Missing Link” – Link Gaetz
Gaetz wasn’t just known for his wild personality—his fists did most of the work. The nickname had the perfect mix of mystery and menace.
16. “Moose” – Mark Messier
You hear “Moose” and you think big, fast, and impossible to knock off the puck. Messier played with the kind of intensity that made even his own teammates nervous.
15. “The Undertaker” – Todd Fedoruk
Nope, not the WWE version—this guy was for real. Fedoruk brought an energy to the ice that screamed, “You don’t want this smoke.”
14. “The Beast” – Scott Stevens
It wasn’t just a nickname—it was a warning label. Stevens hit like a freight train and wore the intimidation like armor.
13. “Big Z” – Zdeno Chara
Chara stood at 6’9″, and that’s before he put on skates. “Big Z” wasn’t flashy, but it was perfectly ominous for a guy who towered over everyone.
12. “Tiger” – Dave Williams
Nobody named “Tiger” is showing up to play patty-cake. Williams had one goal in mind: create chaos.
11. “The Russian Rocket” – Pavel Bure
The nickname sounded fast and explosive for a reason. Bure came at you like a missile with no off switch.
10. “The Bash Brothers” – Bob Probert & Joey Kocur
They weren’t just a pair of fighters—they were a demolition crew. When these two lined up together, things were about to get loud and bloody.
9. “The Plumber” – Gary Roberts
He did the dirty work, and he loved every second of it. If someone needed to get roughed up in the corners, The Plumber showed up with his wrench.
8. “The Freight Train” – Eric Lindros
He could skate, he could score, but when he hit you, it was personal. Lindros moved with all the subtlety of—you guessed it—a freight train.
7. “Razor” – Mike McPhee
You don’t get called Razor because you’re gentle. It’s sharp, fast, and ready to cut—just like McPhee’s style of play.
6. “Gino” – Gino Odjick
Short and sweet, “Gino” became synonymous with destruction. You heard the name, and you knew hands were about to fly.
5. “The Secretary of Defense” – Rod Langway
This nickname came with serious authority. Langway shut things down on the blue line like it was a national security threat.
4. “The Widowmaker” – Bob Gassoff
Not many nicknames come darker than this. Gassoff didn’t play games, and his presence alone was enough to rattle nerves.
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3. “Knuckles” – Chris Nilan
The man had fists like anvils and wasn’t afraid to use them. “Knuckles” wasn’t just branding—it was his job description.
Read More: Ranking 20 Nicknames That Defined Entire Eras of Baseball
2. “The Grim Reaper” – Stu Grimson
Yes, it’s here again because no nickname captured the soul-snatching energy of a hockey enforcer quite like this one. Grimson looked like he came straight out of a nightmare with skates on.
Read More: Ranking the 30 Most Unlikable NHL Stars of All Time
1. “Mr. Hockey” – Gordie Howe
It sounds wholesome—until you remember Gordie Howe invented the combo of a goal, assist, and fight in one game. “Mr. Hockey” wasn’t just the sport’s face—it was its muscle.
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