NHL: The Best Fighters in Every Team's History

The days of Bob Probert and the other late great enforcers are over. No longer will you see players on the ice that have one job, and one job only: Beat guys up and police the ice.

Today, enforcers are more of an after-thought. They are players who can play a little, but also have a nasty left hook.

So this a tribute to the policemen of the ice and protectors of the gifted. The best of the best of the players who fought their way into hockey lore, and their team's history books as the best fighter in their team's history.

30. Zenon Konopka (Tampa Bay Lightning)

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Zenon Konopka #28 of the Tampa Bay Lightning trades punches against Aaron Voros #34 of the New York Rangers during the first period on January 19, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Though he only played in two seasons with Tampa Bay, he managed to rack up 265 PIM in 74 games with them in 2009-10.

He just looks like a bad dude.

29. Matt Johnson (Minnesota Wild)

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VANCOUVER - MARCH 10: Wade Brookbank #28 of the Vancouver Canucks and Matt Johnson #12 of the Minnesota Wild grapple as they fight during the first period of their NHL game at General Motors Place on March 10, 2004 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Jeff V

A well-traveled enforcer in the NHL, Johnson's longest tenure was with the Wild from 2000-04.

He would total 698 PIM in those four seasons.

28. Sandy McCarthy (Calgary Flames)

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1997/98: Sandy McCarthy #15 of the Calgary Flames in action during a game at the Canadien Airlines Saddledome in Calgary, Canada. Mandatory Credit: Ian Tomlinson /Allsport

He would play five seasons for the Flames after being drafted 5nd overall in 1991.

From 1993-98, there was no doubt who the man patrolling the ice was in Calgary.

27. Paul Bissonnette (Phoenix Coyotes)

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 24: Paul Bissonnette #12 of the Phoenix Coyotes fights against Jared Boll #40 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 24, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blue Jackets 3-0. (

Still young, Bissonnette has made a name for himself in the NHL as a man you do not want to mess with.

He is out there purely to police the ice, and for a young guy, he does it pretty well.

26. Terry O'Reilly (Boston Bruins)

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 13: Former Boston Bruins player Terry O'Reilly acknowledges the crowd during the ceremony honoring John Bucyk for his 50 years with the Bruins organization before the game against the Edmonton Oilers on February 13, 2007 at TD Banknorth

O'Reilly has gone down as one of the best enforcers the NHL has ever seen, and from 1971-1985, he was a staple on the ice for the Bruins when someone needed to be taught a lesson.

He would finish with 1,663 PIM in his NHL career.

25. Eric Boulton (Atlanta Thrashers)

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OTTAWA - NOVEMBER 09: Matt Carkner #39 of the Ottawa Senators gets into a fight with Eric Boulton #36 of the Atlanta Thrashers during a game at Scotiabank Place on November 9, 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Atlanta Thr

Although Boulton's recent actions in 2005 have marked him as a dirty player, he has managed to the force on the ice for the Thrashers for the last five seasons.

24. Chris Neil (Ottawa Senators)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 20: Chris Neil #25 of the Ottawa Senators trades punches with Jody Shelley #45 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period on January 20, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the

23. Paul Laus (Florida Panthers)

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13 Feb 1999: Paul Laus #3 of the Florida Panthers pushes Turner Stevensen #23 of the Montreal Canadiens during the game at the Molson Centre in Montreal, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Panthers 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport

Laus was the enforcer for a decade in Florida.

He is known for taking on some of the toughest players in the NHL as well as a team leader from 1993-2002.

22. Peter Worrell (Colorado Avalanche)

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DENVER - DECEMBER 17: Peter Worrell #28 of the Colorado Avalanche gets caught holding the stick of Christoph Brandner #26 of the Minnesota Wild resulting in a power play goal for the Wild in the first period December 17, 2003 at the Pepsi Center in Denve

A trailblazer for African Americans in the NHL, Worrell is the best fighter to come through Colorado.

He would tally 179 PIM in his lone season with the Avs.

21. Jared Boll (Columbus Blue Jackets)

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 11: Jared Boll #40 of the Columbus Blue Jackets lands a punch during a fight with Cody McLeod #55 of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period on February 11, 2011 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by John Griesho

The youngest player on this list, Boll has been the man to go to on the Jackets if someone needs a beat down.

He had 226 PIM in his first season with Columbus back in 2007.

20. Enricco Ciccone (Washington Capitals)

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12 Apr 1999: Enrico Ciccone #39 of the Washington Capitals rests on the ice during the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Blackhawks defeated the Capitals 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport

The quintessential enforcer in the NHL, Ciccone amassed 1,469 PIM in 374 games played.

19. Rob Ray (Buffalo Sabres)

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16 Oct 2001: Defenseman Marc Moro #16 of the Nashville Predators throws a left hand at right wing Rob Ray #32 of the Buffalo Sabres during an on ice fight in the NHL game at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Predators and Sabres skated to a 3-3 tie.

From 1990-2002, Ray was known for both knocking people out and for being a leader on the ice.

He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1999 for his leadership and humanitarianism.

18. Barrett Jackman (St. Louis Blues)

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SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 24: Barrett Jackman #5 of the St Louis Blues skates against of the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game on January 24, 2008 at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The enforcer for the Blues for the last five seasons, it seems like he gets in fights just about every other game now.

17. Jordin Tootoo (Nashville Predators)

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 27: Jordin Tootoo #22 of the Nashville Predators fights Sean Avery #16 of the New York Rangers on November 27, 2010 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Not the biggest guy at 5'9", but Tootoo can lay a punch with the best of them.

He is constantly picking fights with bigger and stronger players only to match right up with them in the end.

16. Eric Godard (Pittsburgh Penguins)

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UNIONDALE, NY - APRIL 08: Eric Godard #28 of the Pittsburgh Penguins fights with Trevor Gillies #14 of the New York Islanders as referee Francois St. Laurent #38 looks on at the Nassau Coliseum on April 8, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Be

The smallest player, now followed by the biggest player on this list.  Standing at 6'4", Godard has taken over enforcer duties in just two seasons with the Penguins.

15. Sean Avery (Dallas Stars)

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Chris Drury #23 of the New York Rangers and Sean Avery #16 of the Dallas Stars battle in the crease on October 20, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Stars defeated teh Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Im

He is not one of the most-liked players in the NHL, but Avery will not back down from a fight, even though so many players take licks at him on a nightly basis.

14. Owen Nolan (San Jose Sharks)

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TORONTO - DECEMBER 21: Owen Nolan #11 of the San Jose Sharks skates during the NHL game agaisnt the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on December 21, 2002 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs and Sharks tied 3-3. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Ima

Not only did Nolan step up and fight when needed to, but he was one of the few tough guys that played both sides of the hockey spectrum.

He put up 84 points and 110 PIM for the Sharks in 2000.

13. Scott Stevens (New Jersey Devils)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JUNE 9: Scott Stevens #4 of the New Jersey Devils holds up the Stanley Cup trophy after defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 3-0 in game seven of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals at Continental Airlines Arena on June 9, 2003 in East Rut

Stevens was another one of those tough guys that was offensively capable of doing damage.  Known for heavy body-checking, he has the most PIM of any player in the Hall of Fame today.

12. Scott Walker (Carolina Hurricanes)

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UNIONDALE, NY - OCTOBER 21: Brendan Witt #32 of the New York Islanders battles Scott Walker #24 of the Carolina Hurricanes on October 21, 2009 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Isles won the game 4-3 after a shoot out. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

Although not much of a penalty minute accumulator, Walker could pack a punch as he would constantly take on the opponent's best fighter.  He was not the biggest guy either at 5'10".

11. Rick Rypien (Vancouver Canucks)

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OTTAWA - NOVEMBER 11: Chris Neil #25 of the Ottawa Senators takes a punch to the head from Rick Rypien #37 of the Vancouver Canucks during a game at Scotiabank Place on November 11, 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Ott

Definitely one of the toughest guys you'll meet.  Nothing seemed to phase him and if it did, he would fix that by going at the opponent.  The best fighter in the Canucks' history.

10. George Parros (Anaheim Ducks)

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OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 18: Matt Carkner #39 of the Ottawa Senators looses his helmet in a fight with George Parros #16 of the Anaheim Ducks in a game at Scotiabank Place on January 18, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

One of the best fighters in the NHL today.  He went from offense to fighting in order to make it in the league and he hasn't looked back.

9. Clark Gillies (New York Islanders)

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7 Dec 1996: Clark Gillies (l) receives his number nine jersey from Al Arbour, the Islanders coach who helped them win the Stanley Cup, during his jersey retirement at the pre game ceremonies of the Washington Capitals versus New York Islanders game at t

The ultimate intimidator, Gillies was always up for a fight if you messed with his team.  Although he never had over a 100 PIM season, he was respected as a force to deal with and no one wanted to tangle with him.

8. Bob Probert (Chicago Blackhawks)

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13 Feb 2002: Bob Probert #24 of the Chicago Blackhawks exchanges blows with Peter Worrell #8 of the Florida Panthers during the game at United Center in Chicago , Illinois. The Blackhawks won 5-4. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit : Jonathan Daniel/Getty Im

Not the last time Probert will be on this list.  he has gone down as one of the greatest fighters to ever play in the NHL.

7. Tie Domi (Toronto Maple Leafs)

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TORONTO - OCTOBER 1: Brett Lebda #41 of the Detroit Red Wings and Tie Domi #28 of the Toronto Maple Leafs look on during their NHL pre-season game at the Air Canada Centre on October 1, 2005 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs beat the Red Wing

One of the toughest guys in his day and age, Domi is as respected a fighter as you will ever come across.

The best fighter in Maple Leafs history.

6. Joey Kocur (New York Rangers)

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15 Oct 1993: DEFENSEMAN JOE KOCUR#26 OF THE NEW YORK RANGERS IS TANGLED UP WITH DEFENSEMAN ROB RAY #32 OF THE BUFFALO SABRES DURING A GAME AT THE AUD IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

One half of the original "Bruise Brothers" that terrified hockey 1980's.  He is one of the most penalized hockey players in NHL history.

He amassed 2,519 PIM in 19 NHL seasons.

5. Georges Laraque (Edmonton Oilers)

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EDMONTON, CANADA - MAY 23: Georges Laraque #27 of the Edmonton Oilers exchanges blows with Todd Fedoruk #29 of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the third period in game three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2006 NHL Playoffs on May 23, 2006 at

At 6'3" and 273 pounds, Laraque was not someone that opponents wanted to pick a fight with.

One of the most physical players the league has ever seen.

4. Dave Brown (Philadelphia Flyers)

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23 Apr 1995: Leftwinger Rob Ray of the Buffalo Sabres and rightwinger Dave Brown of the Philadelphia Flyers fight during a game at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres won the game, 4-2.

6'5"is all you really need to know as he is the tallest player on this list.

Brown had no offensive ability.  His job was to beat on fools and ask questions later.

He is on my list for that exact reason.

3. Chris Nilan (Montreal Canadians)

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TORONTO - NOVEMBER 12: Chris Nilan #15 of Team World defends against Dave Tiger Williams #22 of Team Canada during the Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game at the Air Canada Centre November 12, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty

A guy known as "Knuckle" is probably someone who you should not mess with.

"Knuckles" Nilan totaled over 3,000 PIM in his career, while playing 9 seasons for the Canadians.

2. "Tiger" Williams (Los Angeles Kings)

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TORONTO - JANUARY 26: Former Toronto Maple Leafs player Norm Ullman salutes the crowd before the game against the Los Angeles Kings on January 26, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages / Getty Images)

Williams is the all-time leader in penalty minutes, sitting in the box for 4,421 minutes.  Think about that for a second.

The ultimate goon of hockey, Williams in one of the top fighters hockey has ever seen.

1. Bob Probert (Detroit Red Wings)

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DETROIT - JANUARY 2: (L-R) Steve Duchesne, Bob Probert, Vladimir Konstantinov and Larry Murphy stand on the ice at the jersey retirement ceremony for Steve Yzerman before the Detroit Red Wings game against the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena on January

A definite heavy weight of the 1990's, Probert was the other half of the "Bruise Brothers" in the 1980's and continued bruising opponents into the 1990's.

He was involved in a total of 283 NHL fights and it may be safe to say that he has won much more than he lost.