Hockey might be a team sport, but some players made it feel like a one-on-one grudge match every time they stepped on the ice. Whether it was a perceived slight, a big hit, or just pure rivalry energy, these guys weren’t out there to make friends—they were out to settle scores.
They played with fire, stirred the pot, and made every shift count like it was a personal vendetta. From old-school enforcers to modern-day agitators, here are 20 NHL players who made every game feel like a score to be settled.
20. Brendan Gallagher
Gallagher plays every game like someone just insulted his entire family. He’s the kind of guy who’ll smile in your face after driving you crazy in the corners.
19. Rick Tocchet
Tocchet brought edge, attitude, and the occasional punch to the face. He never played like anything was casual—every shift had meaning, and most of it was fueled by pride.
18. Alex Burrows
If there was a line, Burrows didn’t just cross it—he danced on it. His antics had opponents seething and fans wondering what drama he’d stir up next.
17. Matthew Tkachuk
Tkachuk doesn’t just get under your skin—he builds a condo there. Every time he’s on the ice, someone’s getting chirped, bumped, or baited into doing something dumb.
16. Jeremy Roenick
Roenick didn’t just play the game—he lived for the drama. He was never afraid to speak his mind or mix it up, and it showed in how personally he took every battle.
15. Claude Lemieux
Lemieux was the poster child for taking things too far. From rivalries to revenge hits, he built his legacy on personal grudges and playoff carnage.
14. Sean Avery
Avery turned making it personal into an art form. He didn’t just want to beat you—he wanted you to hate him for it.
13. Tie Domi
Domi fought like every scrap meant something—and for him, it usually did. He never backed down and always found a reason to take things up a notch.
12. Tom Wilson
Wilson doesn’t do half-measures—if he’s coming for you, he’s coming hard. Opponents know they’re in for a long night when he’s got a bone to pick.
11. Bobby Clarke
Clarke played like he had something to prove every night, and his intensity set the tone for the Broad Street Bullies. If you wronged him, he remembered and retaliated.
10. Brad Marchand
Marchand could find a personal angle in a preseason scrimmage. He’s always chirping, always agitating, and somehow always making it about him versus you.
9. Chris Pronger
Pronger had a mean streak a mile wide, and he wasn’t shy about using it. He could dominate a game and devastate your lineup, all with a personal edge.
8. Mark Messier
Messier brought a scary level of intensity when it came to proving a point. He thrived on pressure, and if you gave him a reason, he took it personally.
7. Dale Hunter
Hunter had a long memory and a short fuse. If you crossed him—or even looked at him funny—you were probably getting crunched into the boards.
6. Evander Kane
Kane plays like he’s always got a chip on his shoulder, and he’s not afraid to cash in on that energy. Every goal, hit, or fight feels like it comes with a side of revenge.
5. Kevin Bieksa
Bieksa had the kind of swagger that made everything feel personal, even if it wasn’t. He never missed a chance to throw hands or throw shade.
4. Ron Hextall
Goalies aren’t usually the ones starting the drama, but Hextall made it his brand. He didn’t just stop pucks—he went after players with a vengeance.
Read More: NHL: 7 Most Controversial Players of All Time
3. Scott Stevens
Stevens made every hit feel like a personal message. If you entered his zone, you weren’t just taking a risk—you were inviting destruction.
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2. P.K. Subban
Subban thrived on energy, emotion, and proving people wrong. He always had something to say, and he played like he had something to prove.
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1. Patrick Roy
Roy was the king of making it personal, especially when it came to rivalries or criticism. He didn’t just protect his crease—he defended his pride, and woe to anyone who challenged it.
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