Welcome To Huard28's Hockey Fights Web Site

"I get pissed off when I hear people criticize fighting. You never see a fan go for popcorn in the middle of a fight. Imagine somebody goes for a snack in the middle of a fight. C'mon, the fans stand up and think it's fun."

- Tony Twist, former NHL enforcer

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N.Y. Islanders vs Toronto Maple Leafs!

Here are my TOP 20 NHL Fighters (As of Apr.15/02)

Georges Laraque
Donald Brashear
Peter Worrell
Jim McKenzie
Chris McAllister
Scott Parker
Tie Domi
Eric Cairns
Paul Laus
Reed Low
Darren Langdon
Matt Johnson
Brad May
Sandy McCarthy
Stephen Peat
Kryzstoff Oliwa
Rob Ray
Sylvain Blouin
Wade Belak
Bob Probert

1. Georges Laraque - #27 Edmonton Oilers

Ht: 6'3" Weight: 255 lbs. Age: 26 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

The undisputed heavyweight champ of the NHL? Most likely. Laraque is a dominant 260 lb enforcer who never loses in fights. He uses his tremendous strength packed with his hard punches to out muscle and out punch 99% of his opponents. 18 fights this past season, and only 1 clear loss. Very strong skater for a big man, will continue to bash opponents for the next 8-10 years!

2. Donald Brashear - #87 Philadelphia Flyers

Ht: 6'2" Weight: 230 lbs. Age: 30 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

A very big and strong enforcer, but is criticized for his fighting strategy which includes a lot of grappling, wrestling, and cheap antics to get the advantage over his oppenents. Brashear however rarely loses, and shows incredible strength in his fights. When he does open up, his punches are pretty devastating.

3. Peter Worrell - #8 Florida Panthers

Ht: 6'6" Weight: 245 lbs. Age: 24 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

A huge force, Worrell could be the strongest player in the NHL. Like Brashear, he tends to grapple a lot in his fights, but when he opens up he uses his incredible reach to devastate opponents and keep them away. Rarely loses, and fights a lot, a great combo! Led the NHL in fighting majors this season with 33, and penalty minutes with 352.

4. Jim McKenzie - #19 New Jersey Devils

Ht: 6'4" Weight: 230 lbs. Age: 32 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Big Jim has always been a force in the NHL as a proven top fighter. He mixes tremendous strength and punching power to usually devastate his opponents. While Jim has gotten older, he is still very deadly, although not as active as he once was, if you underestimate Jim, you will find yourself lying flat on the ice from a barrage of his punches.

5. Chris McAllister - #24 Philadelphia Flyers

Ht: 6'8" Weight: 240 lbs. Age: 26 Position: RD "In-Action Fight Pics"

Chris is a monster of a player, and just too big and too strong for his own good. He has emerged as one of the best fighters in the game with very few losses in his career. The only knock on him is that he doesn't play enough to be consistent. When he does play, you can usually count him in on beating up the other teams toughest player.

6. Scott Parker - #27 Colorado Avalanche

Ht: 6'4" Weight: 230 lbs. Age: 24 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Scott is a true NHL fighter. A hard core fighter who is devastating when he is on his fighting game. He does however go in fighting slumps, in terms of quantity and quality, but when he bounces back, he bounces back in a big way! Not the best of seasons in 2001-02, but he is still young. He will only get better, you can look for him to crack the top 3 next season!

7. Tie Domi - #28 Toronto Maple Leafs

Ht: 5'10" Weight: 200 lbs Age: 32 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Tie is a warrior, and has been around for years it seems!! Always willing to go anytime with anyone, and stick up for his teammates. He is one of the more successful enforcers in the game, and has had more entertaining fights in the NHL than anyone else! Toned down the fighting a bit this past season and turned up his play! Makes up for size with heart. Just imagine if he was 6'4" 230 lbs, what he would do?!

8. Eric Cairns - #33 New York Islanders

Ht: 6'6" Weight: 230 lbs Age: 27 Position: RD "In-Action Fight Pics"

Eric can eat you up. He is so big and so strong, he just uses his incredible reach and strength to throw you around and keep you from landing anything good. Just a steady stand up fighter who will bring it when he has too, and never takes NO for an answer! A great war with Tie Domi was hist most entertaining fight of the season!

9. Paul Laus - #3 Florida Panthers

Ht: 6'1" Weight: 212 lbs Age: 31 Position: RW/RD "In-Action Fight Pics"

Paul has been in the NHL with Florida for 9 seasons now! A steady all around fighter, he mixes a lot of energy with accuracy in punching and a decent power punch to beat many of the fighters he faces. Suffered a season ending injury this past season, but still managed 15 fights! An exciting and emotional fighter most of the time, most times opponents fight the Laus, and the Laus won.

10. Reed Low - #34 St. Louis Blues

Ht: 6'4" Weight: 213 lbs Age: 25 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Reed is a 2nd year fighter, and an exciting one at that! He has really come into his own this past season, after a very slow fighting start. He has had draws with Laraque, and Brashear, and has cleanly beat Todd Fedoruk. These results snuck him into the last spot of the top 10! He is fast, accurate and an energetic fighter, we should see more from him in the near future!

11. Darren Langdon - #20 Carolina Hurricanes

Ht: 6'1" Weight: 205 lbs Age: 31 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Darren has been a long time brawler in the NHL. Starting out with the Rangers, he quickly established himself as a top fighter in the game. Just sheer tough as nails, and his fighting style, a very unique strategical style in which he would come on in the 2nd half of his VERY LONG fights! A great guy all around, very respected, came a long way from the ECHL to get to the show!

12. Matt Johnson - #12 Minnesota Wild

Ht: 6'5" Weight: 235 lbs Age: 26 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Matt is one big tough dude. He burst onto the scene with the Kings as an 18 yr old in pre-season with two great fights with Stu Grimson. From that point forward, Matt was a feared fighting in the NHL. Quickly established, with a power punch and dominance in fights, turned into a slump of un-coordinated style and lack of balance. Johnson struggled through the past couple seasons as a fighter, with his quality of fights being poor. If he ever regains his old form, he would definitely crack the top 5 in the league!

13. Brad May - #32 Phoenix Coyotes

Ht: 6'1" Weight: 217 lbs Age: 30 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Brad has always been one of the best power puncher fighters in the NHL since he burst onto the scene as a rookie with Buffalo in 1991-92. He quickly established himself as a dangerous opponent to face for any proven fighter. Now in his 10th season in the NHL, Brad still has that same all out style in his fights, and can catch an opponent napping, pop him, then next game do the same!

14. Sandy McCarthy - #10 New York Rangers

Ht: 6'3" Weight: 225 lbs Age: 29 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Sandy Mac has been around for 9 years now, and was always a devastating fighter. However, it seemed no team wanted to hang onto him for too long, as he wore out his welcome. It looks like he has found a home with the Rangers and still is employed as a top policeman in the game, but not what we saw from him 3-5 years ago. A toned down McCarthy could still be dangerous though, and has had some very entertaining bouts this year, and is still a top fighter in this league!

15. Stephen Peat - #51 Washington Capitals (Rookie)

Ht: 6'2" Weight: 218 lbs Age: 21 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

A very exciting rookie in the NHL this past year. Peat really came out of no where to crack the Caps lineup and make a huge impact in the fighting ranks! Just look at his big fight with PJ Stock, and his upset of Peter Worrell, not to mention wars with Oliwa, Purinton, and Brashear! A good mix of accuracy and strong punching power, he will only get deadlier!

16. Kryzstoff Oliwa - #29 Pittsburgh Penguins

Ht: 6'4" Weight: 228 lbs Age: 28 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Oliwa has been around a while, starting out with the Devils in 1996. He established himself as a top heavyweight fighter in the game. Born in Poland, Oliwa battled hard to come to North America to establish his hockey career. He uses his size, reach, and accurate punching to beat many of his opponents. Not the cleanest fighter around, but definitely dangerous! Kryzstoff finished the year on a strong note!

17. Rob Ray - #32 Buffalo Sabres

Ht: 6'0" Weight: 217 lbs Age: 33 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Rayzor is one of the true warriors of the game!! A rare example of an enforcer to play with one team his whole career spending now his 13th season in Buffalo. Ray has surpassed the 3,000 PIM mark this past season and was involved in 18 fights! Not the force he was a few years ago, but Ray can still go and still has that rock hard right hand that can stun any opponent he faces! Hopefully, he will get re-signed, and Ray will be back in Buffalo next season!

18. Sylvain Blouin - #36 Minnesota Wild

Ht: 6'2" Weight: 207 lbs Age: 27 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Sylvain is a true warrior of the pro hockey game. Always one of the tougher AHL fighters, finally got some full time action in the past 2 seasons with the Wild. A very technical fighter, he uses a smart strategy to out punch his opponents and come out unaffected by their punches. He is a solid fighter, and very worthy of the top 20!

19. Wade Belak - #2 Toronto Maple Leafs

Ht: 6'4" Weight: 225 lbs Age: 25 Position: LD/LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Wade is a stand up fighter! A streaky fighter, but when he is on, he is a good one. Last season he enjoyed a couple upset wins by edging Laraque AND Brashear while with Calgary. With Toronto he has been a solid wing man to Domi, and has usually come out the winner in most of his fights. This year his best showings were vs Langdon, vs Shelley, and vs McKenzie!

20. Bob Probert - #24 Chicago Blackhawks

Ht: 6'3" Weight: 225 lbs Age: 36 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Probie what can you say? One of the best, if not the best all time fighter in NHL history. But nowadays Probie is dwindling away, and is a shell of his former self. Still a feared fighter at times, but most often looks tired and not into his fights. Mostly his reputation from the past keeps him barely in the top 20 fighters, finished the year up so so and his future is cloudly, not only in Chicago, but in the NHL.

Honorable Mention: Stu Grimson - #8 Nashville Predators

Ht: 6'4" Weight: 240 lbs Age: 36 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Stu played in the first half of the season, but wasn't his usual self. He did manage to get into a decent amount of fights, but with lackluster results, including a big loss to Laraque which evidently was his last fight of this season. Grimson suffered a major concussion after that fight which sidelined him for the season. It is believed he will retire sometime this summer. Its too bad, he was one of the best in the game up till this season. A great guy off the ice as well.

Now I will showcase the "Up and Comers" in the NHL!! These guys are either rookies or young fighters who have/are making their mark in the NHL last year and this year! It won't be long before this bunch represents the top fighters in the game!

P.J. Stock - #42 Boston Bruins

Ht: 5'9" Weight: 190 lbs Age: 26 Position: C "In-Action Fight Pics"

PJ burst back onto the NHL scene this season after being up and down over the past 4-5 years. Finally finding a home in Boston, PJ is playing full time now and had the most entertaining toe to toe fights by anyone this past season!! Several of his fights were fight of the year canditates, and he just went out and threw them with any heavyweight, toe to toe, forever it seemed! A big fan favorite in Boston with the wave after his fights to his fans, for his size he really packs a punch!

Eric Boulton - #26 Buffalo Sabres

Ht: 6'1" Weight: 215 lbs Age: 25 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Bolts is a true hockey fighter. An all out energetic, punch happy kind of guy. He, in his 2nd NHL season with Buffalo, has established himself as the hier apparent to Rob Ray. Eric has had some very exciting fights this year which inlude bouts with PJ Stock, Sandy McCarthy 2x, Darcy Hordichuk, a 1 punch KO of Florida's Jason Wiemer and has taken on three top 10 fighters in Scott Parker (see main page pic above), Chris McAllister, and Jim McKenzie. Look for him to make his full time mark next season for Buffalo.

Chris Neil - #25 Ottawa Senators

Ht: 6'1" Weight: 211 lbs Age: 22 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

I like this kid a lot. Chris Neil really turned his game into the complete package. A fighter with talent. Chris emerged in his rookie season in the NHL as a very willing and frequent combatant and formed a good tag team with now ex-teammate Andre Roy. Chris is a very emotional all out fighter, and had some good dustups this year vs PJ Stock, Tetarenko, and Odjick amongst others. Look for him to progress next season into a more top flight fighter.

Darcy Hordichuk - #29 Phoenix Coyotes

Ht: 6'1" Weight: 215 lbs Age: 21 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Darcy was perhaps the most exciting fighter to burst onto the NHL scene this season. He was Atlanta's last cut at the start of the season and started out with Chicago in the AHL. He was called up to play 30+ games when Jeff Odgers went down with an injury, and when Odgers came back, Hordichuk was sent back to the AHL. But in his 33 games, 18 fights, 18 dandy's!! Darcy was then traded to the Phoenix Coyotes at the NHL trade deadline, and only appeared in 1 game for the Yotes, and not recording a fight. An all out toe to toe no defense exciting fighter, he will just get better and better, he fears no one and just won't stop punching and entertaining us fight fans!

Jody Shelley - #45 Columbus Blue Jackets

Ht: 6'3" Weight: 225 lbs Age: 26 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Jody burst onto the NHL scene about 25 games into the Blue Jackets season, giving the team a legit enforcer. Quickly in his first 28 games of the season Shelley managed 16 fights, including 4 with legendary Bob Probert! It seemed every game Shelley found the other teams heavy and away they would go! His biggest win of the season came against top fighter Georges Laraque! He has had mixed success, some nights he looked real good, other nights he doesn't look that good. Overall, he mixes a good fighting strategy with an open swinging style, and is willing to trade them with anyone! He will get better with more NHL experience.

Stephen Peat - #51 Washington Capitals

Ht: 6'2" Weight: 218 lbs Age: 21 Position: RW

Just like mentioned in the TOP 20, was a very exciting rookie in the NHL this year. Peat really came out of no where to crack the Caps lineup and make a huge impact in the fighting ranks! Just look at his big fight with PJ Stock, and his upset of Peter Worrell, not to mention wars with Oliwa, Purinton, and Brashear! A good mix of accuracy and strong punching power, he will only get deadlier!

Aaron Downey - #44 Chicago Blackhawks

Ht: 6'1" Weight: 216 lbs Age: 27 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Usually a 27 yr old wouldn't be listed in this section of up and comers, but Downey has finally got his full time chance in the NHL. His first full season, brought in to give support to an aging Bob Probert, Aaron hasn't played as much as he would like but in his 35 games he managed to fight 10 times! An exciting all out wild swinging fighter, Downey backs down from no one and is a definite late bloomer! Give him 4 to 7 more good years in the NHL.

Joey Tetarenko - #36 Florida Panthers

Ht: 6'2" Weight: 212 lbs Age: 23 Position: LD/LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Joey if given the chance could be a #1 fighter on most teams, but with Florida, he is the 3rd tier tough guy, and thus doesn't play as much as he should be. In barely over 20 games Tetarenko had still managed 11 fights, until he suffered a major jaw injury forcing him to play the rest of the season with a visor and jaw guard, thus not fighting. The 1st half of the season he had some exciting bouts to boot!! Great fights vs Cairns, Webb, R.Simpson, Odgers, Low and Tamer to name a few! He, much like Downey, is a wild swinging-all out fighter who doesn't believe in defense! Entertaining to watch, and will only get better!

Nathan Perrott - #20 Nashville Predators

Ht: 6'0" Weight: 215 lbs Age: 25 Position: RW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Nathan was always a personal fave of mine back in his junior days with Oshawa. He has flirted with the NHL for a few years now, which included a big audtion with the Blackhawks in pre-season a couple years back, when he fought 9 times! Mostly AHL action for Perrott this past year until early February , when Nashville called upon his services since Jeremy Stevenson was not panning out. Perrott responded with 2 fights in his first 2 games vs Shelley and vs Worrell, a win and a draw! Not bad. A good free swinging fighter who can punch with both hands, and will not hang on, toe to toe is his brand of fighting when given the chance! He finished out the year strong in Nashville, and will be back next season for more!

Todd Fedoruk - #29 Philadelphia Flyers

Ht: 6'2" Weight: 235 lbs Age: 23 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

FRIDGE, as he is best known burst onto the fighting scene last season, after a good pre-season showing in Philly! Shared the fighting duties with Chris McAllister this season, until the Flyers aquired Donald Brashear to be their #1 guy. Todd had fit nicely into the 2nd tier fighting role in the 2nd half of the season, until he was sent down to the AHL when Philly acquired troubled Billy Tibbetts from Pittsburgh. Todd has taken on all comers, and finished amongst the leaders in fighting majors! He mixes a damn good chin, good mixing up his punching combos, and pretty good accuracy to edge out many of his opponents!

Dale Purinton - #5 N.Y. Rangers

Ht: 6'3" Weight: 226 lbs Age: 25 Position: RD "In-Action Fight Pics"

Dale is tough as nails. Still learning the complete game, his biggest criticism is he takes too many dumb penalties. Perhaps why he had only played in half of the Rangers games this season. However, when he is playing he makes the Rangers that much a tougher team. He is a very strong and eager fighter. He can mix up his punches and use his strength to gain position in fights. He doesn't dominate but he doesn't get dominated, he is a solid heavy and will only get better!

Dan Lacouture - #33 Pittsburgh Penguins

Ht: 6'2" Weight: 208 lbs Age: 24 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Dan emerged this season as a regular 2-way forward for the Pens, and when Oliwa wasn't around to take care of business, Dan would take on all comers, especially if a teammate is being roughed up. A pretty bad temper, Dan throws himself into fights with wild emotional and energetic punching, and is slowly making a name for himself in this league. Although a 2nd/3rd tier fighter type, look for him to be the main guy in Pittsburgh next season if Oliwa is let go!

Ryan Flinn - #49 Los Angeles Kings

Ht: 6'4" Weight: 218 lbs Age: 21 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Ryan has only spent a short time in the NHL. He was called up by the Kings when Ken Belanger went down with injury, and had been a mainstay in their lineup till Belanger returned. Started the year in the ECHL; he really progressed in the fighting ranks to get this shot! A huge force, uses his tremendous size and strength to gain the advantage in fights, and packs a POWER punch that is quickly getting the reputation as one of the hardest punches in the league!! Watch for Flinner to be a top guy next season with the Kings.

Mike Brown - #27 Vancouver Canucks

Ht: 6'4" Weight: 225 lbs Age: 22 Position: LW "In-Action Fight Pics"

Brown was called up to Vancouver when the Nucks traded Brashear to the Flyers. Started out playing some games, but then became victim of the numbers game and was scratched 99% of the time in the 2nd half of the season. He impressed enough in his handful of fights and showed tremendous poise to go along with his size and strength in fights. He is a smart fighter, and will get better given a full NHL season, which he should get next season!

John Erskine - #3 Dallas Stars

Ht: 6'4" Weight: 215 lbs Age: 21 Position: LD "In-Action Fight Pics"

John was a pretty tough kid in the OHL with London. Now he has gotten his shot with the Dallas Stars, who were in desparate need for a legit tough guy to go along with part time fighter Sami Helenius. Erskine made the best of his rookie season in the NHL, with steady play on d, and a formidable opponent in fights he had been into! A good technical fighter, and very smart when he engages in a fight with a seasoned vet. Still a bit raw, he will get better with experience in the NHL, and next season should be considered amongst the top 20 fighters in the game.

Check out a rundown of each NHL team's "Tough Guy" profile!

Not in the NHL Yet, But KEEP AN EYE ON THESE TOUGH YOUNGSTERS!!