There’s tough, and then there’s “don’t-look-at-him-the-wrong-way” tough. The NHL has always had its fair share of bruisers, but some guys took the job of enforcing to a whole new level, making opponents flinch just by stepping on the ice.
These players didn’t just protect their stars—they hunted down anyone who got in the way. Here are 20 NHL enforcers who didn’t just drop the gloves; they made every shift feel like a scene out of a mob movie.
20. Donald Brashear
Brashear didn’t skate so much as he stalked. Every time he entered a scrum, you could practically hear the Jaws theme.
19. Marty McSorley
Wayne Gretzky’s personal bodyguard came with fists of fury and zero chill. McSorley made it clear: touch the Great One, and you’ll answer to him.
18. Dave “Tiger” Williams
With a nickname like Tiger, you knew he wasn’t there to play nice. He leads the NHL in career penalty minutes for a reason.
17. Bob Probert
Probert had fists like sledgehammers and the presence of a nightclub bouncer with a grudge. He was as feared in the penalty box as he was on the ice.
16. Chris Simon
Simon had a knack for finding himself in the middle of chaos. He brought an unhinged energy that left opponents constantly looking over their shoulders.
15. Tie Domi
Short in stature but terrifying in presence, Domi lived to punch faces and protect teammates. If you saw him coming, you probably skated the other way.
14. Stu Grimson
Grimson was nicknamed “The Grim Reaper,” and honestly, it wasn’t even hyperbole. He made careers shorter, dreams dimmer, and teeth looser.
13. Clark Gillies
Gillies didn’t fight all the time, but when he did, it was personal. He backed up the flashy Islanders dynasty with some serious muscle.
12. Georges Laraque
Smooth off the ice, savage on it. Laraque didn’t pick fights, but he always finished them.
11. Rob Ray
Ray’s jersey came off faster than you could say “hold me back,” and once it did, good luck. His fighting style was chaotic, wild, and wildly effective.
10. John Kordic
Kordic was built for one thing and one thing only—mayhem. He treated the penalty box like a second home.
9. Dave Semenko
If Gretzky needed a guardian angel, Semenko was the fiery one with fists. He didn’t need to say much—his stare said it all.
8. Chris Nilan
“Knuckles” Nilan fought anyone, anywhere, anytime. He turned games into gladiator battles with a look that screamed, “Let’s go.”
7. Dave Schultz
Known as “The Hammer,” Schultz took enforcement to an extreme. If there was a fight, you could bet he started it—or finished it.
6. Tony Twist
Twist’s hits were so heavy they echoed. He didn’t skate, he stormed.
5. Gino Odjick
Odjick wasn’t just a fighter—he was a straight-up enforcer with a vengeance. If you messed with his team, you’d find yourself in a whirlwind of pain.
4. Dale Hunter
Hunter brought a mean streak and wasn’t afraid to cross the line. His hits were punishing, and his reputation even worse.
Read More: The 19 Most Aggressively Intimidating NHL Nicknames
3. Matt Cooke
He didn’t always drop the gloves, but he left chaos in his wake. Cooke was more of a silent assassin than a traditional enforcer—and somehow scarier.
Read More: 22 NHL Guys Who Took the “Bad Boy” Thing Way Too Far
2. Brendan Shanahan
Before he wore a suit in the NHL offices, Shanahan wore down his opponents with brute force. He scored, sure—but he also destroyed.
Read More: 20 NHL Players Who Always Made It Personal
1. Scott Stevens
Stevens didn’t need fists—his hits were soul-snatching. Step across the middle with your head down, and you’d wake up wondering what year it was.
Stay in the Game With the Latest Scores, Highlights, and Stories — Follow GamerKoala on MSN.
