Ranking the 17 Nastiest Forecheckers in Hockey

To make it in the NHL, a player needs to have a solid two-way game. It is all good and well if you can score tons of goals, but it won't matter if your team can't keep the puck out of the net. 

These players are some of the nastiest forecheckers in the NHL because they are physical, tenacious on the puck and defensive specialists. These forwards are amazing at their craft and wreak havoc on opposing offensive forwards.

Today is August 17, so it is time to take a look at the 17 nastiest forecheckers in the NHL.

17. Shane Doan

Shane Doan may be dominating headlines because he is still a free agent, but Doan is one of the NHL's top forecheckers and two-way forwards. Doan is a veteran leader with a ton of experience that he can use to his advantage.

He is a player who does whatever it takes to win, and he will block shots, aggressively forecheck and fight if needed.

This video does a good job showing Doan being tenacious on the puck, and he reaps the benefits of his hard work.

16. T.J. Oshie

T.J. Oshie is a young up-and-coming forward for the St. Louis Blues. He is a skilled player who is physical, truculent, skilled offensively and aggressive defensively.

Oshie often levels players by stepping up at the blue line, but he also has no problem using his active stick to break up the rush. He is an intelligent player and competent in all zones.

Oshie's defensive play is only going to grow under Blues bench boss Ken Hitchcock, and in a few years it wouldn't be surprising to see him contend for the Selke trophy.

15. Ryan Malone

Ryan Malone is a player everyone wants on their team. Not only is he a solid power forward who will contribute offensively, Malone is a physical workhorse who is solid in his defensive zone and is tenacious on the puck.

He provides a lot of value to the Lightning, and his two-way abilities make him a real threat at all times—especially when he has to kill penalties.

14. Brandon Dubinsky

Brandon Dubinsky may have had a down year offensively, but he remained to be a very effective defensive player, forechecker and penalty killer. Dubinsky was a player who was very agitating because he was relentless off the forecheck.

He uses his size to take up space in passing lanes, and an active stick to tip pucks and intercept passes. Dubinsky was a key cog in the New York Rangers' penalty kill. 

13. Dustin Brown

Dustin Brown is a rugged and physical two-way forward. He plays in the dirty areas of the ice and does whatever he needs to do for his team. Brown may be known for his ability to contribute offensively, but his forechecking abilities are very underrated.

The Los Angeles Kings relied heavily on Brown during the playoffs in all situations, and he was a player who had an impact in all areas of the ice.

12. Jordan Staal

Jordan Staal will enter a more offensive role in Carolina, but he made his living as a two-way checking forward with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Often left on the third line, Staal put his nose to the grindstone and really made a difference with his two-way play. He was able to aggressively forecheck and force turnovers and contribute offensively.

He often was forgotten and left in Sidney Crosby's and Evgeni Malkin's shadow, but he will shine with his all-around play in Carolina.

11. Zach Parise

Minnesota Wild-bound forward Zach Parise was highly coveted for his offensive abilities, but his defensive abilities should not be undersold.

Parise was one of the league's most lethal forecheckers because of his aggressiveness and his speed. The New Jersey Devils had the league's top penalty-kill unit in 2011-12, and Parise was a huge part of that.

The Minnesota Wild are not only going to benefit offensively, but they are going improve defensively and on special teams with Parise as their newest star.

10. Ryan Kesler

Ryan Kesler has been one of the NHL's top two-way forwards over the past few years. He is a 6'2" center who is constantly forechecking and making plays even though he experienced a decrease in offensive production.

Kesler was a huge asset to the Canucks's penalty kill, and he filled a similar role for Team USA. No matter what zone Kesler is in, he has the defensive tools—especially on the forecheck— to make a difference.

9. Mike Richards

Mike Richards made his name with the Philadelphia Flyers, a team known for their rugged play and aggressiveness.

Richards excels in all areas of the ice. He is on the small side, but that allows him to use speed and agility to strip the puck from defenders while on the forecheck.

Richards uses his offensive instincts to capitalize once he has possession of the puck, and then he is very lethal.

All in all, Mike Richards is a top forecheck and two-way forward.

8. Henrik Zetterberg

Henrik Zetterberg is another Detroit Red Wings forward who excels on the forecheck. He plays on a different line than fellow teammate Pavel Datsyuk, which allows the Wings to exploit forwards offensively.

He is a versatile player who can line up at any forward position, allowing him to play in all situations on special teams alongside Datsyuk.

Zetterberg sees the ice well, so he can find holes to push pucks into for a teammate to start the rush up ice. He also will play in the dirty areas of the ice like the corners to pressure the puck out of the zone.

He is one forward who really is a complete package for the Red Wings.

7. Cal Clutterbuck

Cal Clutterbuck is a very physical and effective forechecker. He uses his size to knock opponents down with ease to separate them from the puck, and then he lets his skilled linemates takeover.

Clutterbuck is an old fashioned hockey player who is a defense-first forward, but he is very physical and aggressive on the forecheck.

6. David Backes

David Backes is a solid all-around player who excels on the forecheck. He is one of the St. Louis Blues' top penalty killers, because he is a defensive forward who can interrupt an opponent's power play and make them pay when shorthanded.

Backes is the leader of the Blues and sets the tone with his aggressive forecheck and defensive play. He was a key asset to the 2010 USA Olympic Hockey team in all situations and will likely reprise his role in 2014. 

5. Jonathan Toews

Simply put, Jonathan Toews is one of the most complete players in the game today. He is an amazing leader, has great vision, offensive instincts and is a complete defensive player.

Toews uses his vision to read plays before they happen, and then he forechecks hard in order to force turnovers and breakaways. The Chicago Blackhawks really benefit from Toews' all-around play and will be glad to have him back next season.

4. Ryan Callahan

Ryan Callahan is one of the NHL's best two-way forwards. He hits, forechecks, grinds, kills penalties, blocks shots and provides solid secondary offense.

Callahan is always lurking up near his opponents' offensive zone. He often catches an opposing forward sleeping, and then is able to score goals like this.

3. Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby is one of the league's most talented players. He is an offensive juggernaut with great vision, but he is also a very solid defensive player who is a threat whenever he is on the ice.

Crosby is very speedy and agile, and he is able to steal the puck from opposing defenders and forwards with ease. Even though Crosby has missed significant time over the past few years, he has remained one of the league's top overall players.

2. Patrice Bergeron

Patrice Bergeron was the NHL's best defensive forward during the 2011-12 season, and he captured the Frank J. Selke trophy. Bergeron is a defensive specialist who really knows how to exploit and opponent's weakness.

He is always using his stick to break up rushes, he can use his speed to steal the puck and can beat defenders once he has it.

Bergeron is as good offensively as he is defensively, but you would be hard-pressed to find a better forechecking and tenacious defense forward. 

1. Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk is one of the NHL's most complete players. He may not always dazzle with blistering offensive numbers, but he is a defensive ace who often capitalizes on absent-minded players.

Datsyuk has great puck control, and he often uses his active stick to knock the puck loose while aggressively forechecking. After the puck is loose, Datsyuk can use his speed to move the puck up the ice and then pass off to an open teammate.

Datsyuk's defensive game and aggressive forechecking allows him to be one of the best two-way players in the NHL.