Every league has its villains, and in the NHL, some players just couldn’t help skating into that role. Whether it was their dirty play, endless chirping, massive ego, or just an all-around bad vibe, these guys made it easy for fans (and sometimes teammates) to root against them.
This list doesn’t just include enforcers or agitators—it spans superstars, goalies, and even a few Hall of Famers. Being great at hockey doesn’t mean people liked watching you play, and these 30 proved it in all the wrong ways.
30. Brad Marchand
He’s undeniably talented, but he’s also licked people. That’s not even a metaphor—he literally licked opponents during games.
29. Sean Avery
The NHL basically invented a rule because of him. When your biggest legacy is being that annoying, you’re doing too much.
28. Chris Pronger
Big, mean, and always crossing the line between physical and dirty. Nobody smiled when they saw Pronger barreling toward them.
27. Claude Lemieux
The man made a career out of being hated. He was the original playoff pest, and not in a fun way.
26. Tom Wilson
At this point, half the league has beef with Wilson. His suspension list is almost longer than his stat sheet.
25. Patrick Roy
One of the best to ever do it—but he knew it and made sure you knew it too. His ego could fill a rink on its own.
24. Tie Domi
Every team needs a tough guy, but Domi often took that job too personally. His fists wrote checks his skill couldn’t cash.
23. P.K. Subban
Some saw charisma, others saw arrogance. The flashy play and bigger-than-life persona rubbed plenty the wrong way.
22. Matthew Tkachuk
He’s been public enemy number one in multiple cities and seems to enjoy it. If there’s a line, he’ll dance on it—and then blame someone else.
21. Ulf Samuelsson
He made a living throwing questionable hits and skating away smiling. Ask Cam Neely what he thinks about him sometime.
20. Jeremy Roenick
Never met a mic he didn’t like—and he rarely held back once he found one. His off-ice comments have often outshone his on-ice legacy.
19. Ron Hextall
Goalies are supposed to be calm and steady. Hextall was the opposite—slashing, swinging, and losing his cool like it was a skill.
18. Milan Lucic
At his peak, he was terrifying. But his temper and dirty hits made him a target of boos wherever he went.
17. Jarkko Ruutu
A career pest who made it his full-time job to irritate. If someone was in a post-whistle scrum, it was probably him.
16. Alex Burrows
Known more for biting and whining than scoring goals. He never missed a chance to stir the pot and then hide behind the refs.
15. Corey Perry
Somehow still finding new teams to frustrate fans with. Every game with Perry felt like watching a masterclass in trolling.
14. Dino Ciccarelli
He put up numbers, but it always felt like there was drama following him around. Teammates respected him—opponents, not so much.
13. Kevin Stevens
Great player, but had a knack for rubbing people the wrong way on and off the ice. His fall from grace only added to the unease.
12. Esa Tikkanen
He chirped in multiple languages and was never not talking. Even his teammates admitted he was hard to be around.
11. Bobby Clarke
Legendary Flyer, but also the kind of guy who’d slash your ankle just because you looked at him funny. That smile didn’t fool anyone.
10. Darcy Tucker
Played like a wrecking ball with zero brakes. He made every rivalry feel personal, and made sure you hated him by the final whistle.
9. Ken Linseman
His nickname was “The Rat,” and he earned it. Always stirring things up, always ducking the consequences.
8. Rick Tocchet
Had a great career but always carried an air of smugness. Plus, he seemed more interested in throwing punches than scoring goals.
7. Marc Crawford
Not a player, but his coaching antics gave him “most hated” energy. His sideline blowups were legendary—and not in a good way.
6. Gary Suter
He had some major hits—both legal and not. His hit on Paul Kariya still haunts Ducks fans.
5. Dave Schultz
Sure, he was part of the Broad Street Bullies, but there’s a difference between tough and reckless. Schultz proudly lived in the latter.
4. Dominik Hasek
Incredible goalie, but had the attitude of someone who thought everyone else was beneath him. He didn’t make many friends in the locker room.
3. Chris Chelios
Respected, yes. Liked? Not so much—especially if you played in Canada during his prime.
Read More: NHL: 7 Most Controversial Players of All Time
2. Scott Stevens
A human freight train with zero remorse. His bone-crushing hits may be highlight-worthy, but they didn’t earn him any goodwill.
Read More: Ranking the 10 NHL Players With the Highest Hockey IQ
1. Alexei Kovalev
The talent was elite—the attitude, not so much. Fans never knew if they were getting effort or indifference, and that kind of flakiness just made him easy to dislike.
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