Explore how their physical resilience, fighting skills, and leadership shaped the game of hockey forever.
In hockey, skill, and speed, play a vital role, but equally crucial are the grit and toughness of the players. As Don Cherry, the former NHL coach and hockey commentator used to emphasize; skill and speed are undoubtedly vital. However, these attributes need to be accompanied by physicality, grit, and toughness.
The mental and physical resilience enables the player to endure physical battles and quickly recover from hits. According to Don Cherry, “toughness is not all about strength it also requires perseverance and will to fight.” In this article, we explore the 6 toughest players of all time.
Bob Probert
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the hockey scene witnessed one of the fiercest fighters and enforcers ever seen in the sport. Hockey enthusiasts and commentators refer to Bob Probert as one of the toughest players in history.
Known for his fierce fighting skills and intimidating field presence, Probert earned a title of legendary enforce, a player who was feared by opponents and respected by fellow team members. As a member of the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, he regularly went out of his way to protect his teammates, often picking the toughest enforcers in the game.
The most prominent brawl was with Tie Domi, where he entered the record as one of ice hockey’s most feared enforcers, and as Jesse Rogers, the ESPN Staff Writer put it “ one of the tougher guys the game has ever seen.”
Probert is not just known for his fighting prowess, many also remember him for his imposing field presence and his ability to disrupt opponents. This allowed him to shift the momentum of the games, a factor that contributed to successful games.
He mixed his toughness with playmaking ability earning him more than 300 points during his NHL career. For his fans, a combination of size and strength as well as the courage to face his opponents made them proud but the same attributes earned him a ruthless tag from the opposing team.
Scott Mellanby
Although he was not the fastest skater, Scott Mellanby was big and strong and was not afraid to get to the net. His physical presence, at 6 foot -1 was not just intimidating but also allowed him to handle physical confrontations well.
It is at Florida Panthers that his toughness paid off, his no-nonsense game made him a key player for the team, especially during the 1995-96 season whether they made it to the Stanley Cup Final. In this season the Florida Panthers Stanley Cup odds were largely regarded as an underdog story, they defied expectations and went all the way to the finals. Most of this achievement is credited to Scott Mellanby’s toughness and courage to engage in battles.
Tie Domi
Commentators describe him as a “notorious enforcer” for his fighting prowess on the pitch. His ability to stand up for his mates at Toronto Maple Leafs earned him a reputation as one toughest hockey players in history. He was not afraid to drop the gloves against any opponent including the legendary Bob Probert, this earned him a reputation among his fans as well as in the NHL.
Gordie Howe
Many fondly referred to Gordie Howe as “Mr. Hockey”, a name that stuck with him for the longest part of his life. He did not earn the title -toughest hockey player ever- for nothing, it was due to his exceptional play, where he presented a tough competition in the game as well as set standards.
Gordie Howe’s physical playing style and capability to absorb heavy hits while still giving points set him apart. His toughness could well be attributed to the duration he stayed on the pitch, even in his 50s, he was still good in the game.
Dave Semenko
Some remember him as Wayne Gretzky’s bodyguard on ice, but Dave Semenko was also a formidable enforcer. His big size and strength of a tiger made him a daunting presence on the pitch where he was always ready to pounce on the opponents and protect his teammates from devour. This is well evident during their time with the Edmonton Oilers, a team where he played a significant role in their success.
Chris Pronger
Chris Pronger was a principal defenseman whose physical play and intimidating presence earned him a reputation among his teammates and hockey fans. His impact can be summarized as follows:
- Delivering punishing hits
- Asserting dominance
- Intimidating presence
- Willingness to stand up for his mates
- Prowess and leadership were instrumental in his team’s success
These are just a few of the toughest hockey players in history. The game has produced many tough players who have shaped the game with their grit, determination as well as the ability to withstand punishment. Their legacies are engraved in the hearts of both fans and players, clearly reminding us that hockey is as much about toughness as it is about skill.
