Enforcer (hockey)
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Enforcer is a role in ice hockey: the term is sometimes used synonymously with "fighter". An enforcer's job involves fighting opposing players and intimidating them by virtue of his presence on the ice.
Enforcers can play either forward or defense. At the NHL level, teams generally do not carry more than one player whose primary role is enforcer. Although the players who fulfill this role in the present era are expected to have other hockey talents, at times in the past, some NHL enforcers were one-dimensional.
Some players have evolved from the enforcer role by working on the other aspects of their game; Scott Stevens and Lyle Odelein are examples of players that combine intimidation with good fundamental defensive skills, while Chris Simon is an example of an enforcer who shows an occasional scoring flair. As well, some legendary scorers were also renowned tough men and were effectively their own enforcer, such as Gordie Howe and Maurice Richard.
An enforcer's presence usually acts as a deterrent against dirty play by the opposition. If a teammate is a victim of a dirty play or an attempt to injure, the enforcer is expected to respond in kind. Sometimes enforcers can do their job by virtue of their reputation. Clark Gillies was among the best fighters in the NHL during his prime, but over time he rarely had to fight because opponents respected and feared him enough that they would not go after his teammates.
Enforcers are often among the most beloved players on their team[citation needed] - both by their fans and fellow players, as they are perceived as willing to defend their teammates and "take one for the team".
The recent NHL rule changes have made it difficult for one-dimensional fighters to be effective. Players who can't skate well enough to keep up with the faster pace of the modern game tend to become a defensive liability to their team.
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[edit] Notable NHL Enforcers
- Matthew Barnaby
- Craig Berube
- Derek Boogaard
- Donald Brashear
- Dave Brown
- Shane Churla
- Patrick Cote
- Billy Coutu - first NHL player ever to be suspended
- Tie Domi
- Denis Gauthier
- Stu Grimson
- Tim Hunter
- Joey Kocur
- Jim Kyte
- Georges Laraque
- Paul Laus
- Sandy McCarthy
- Darren McCarty
- Brian McGrattan
- Basil McRae
- Marty McSorley
- Jay Miller
- Ethan Moreau
- Andrei Nazarov
- Chris Nilan
- Gino Odjick
- Terry O'Reilly
- Krzysztof Oliwa
- Scott Parker
- Andrew Peters
- Larry Playfair
- Willi Plett
- Bob Probert
- Rob Ray
- Torrie Robertson
- Dave Schultz
- Al Secord
- Dave Semenko
- Jody Shelley
- Chris Simon
- Rocky Thompson
- Tony Twist
- Kurt Walker
- Tiger Williams
[edit] Notable Minor League Enforcers
- Dave Allison
- Mel Angelstad
- Robin Bawa
- Tony Camazzola
- Kevin Evans
- Bob Fleming
- Steve Fletcher
- Link Gaetz
- Mike Greeder
- Archie Henderson
- Mel Hewitt
- Jay Johnston
- Marc Laforge
- Marc Magnan
- Jacques Mailhot
- Steve Martinson
- Dean Mayrand
- Chris McSorley
- Carl Mokosak
- Gary Rissling
- Dwight Schofield
- Bruce Shoebottom
- Paul Tantardini
- Mark Toffolo
