Enforcers

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malskelton

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Hi guys

Just looking for some opinions from the knowledgeable masses on HI

I'm interested in starting a collection of enforcer autographs, but I'm unsure of how you define enforcer.

From Wikipedia ;

"An enforcer's job is to deter and respond to dirty or violent play by the opposition. When such play occurs, the enforcer is expected to respond aggressively, by fighting or checking the offender. Enforcers are expected to react particularly harshly to violence against star players."

So how do you establish which players are enforcers ?

I've done some research yesterday and produced lists of the Top Ten penalty minute takers over the last few NHL seasons, but I'm not sure that's reliable.

In 07 / 08 Dion Phaneuf was ranked #9 for PIMS, but I think that's because he's a physical defenceman rather than enforcer - the biggest error being Sean Avery who was ranked #1 in 03/04 and 05/06 and #5 in 06/07.

So how else can I measure it - is the number of fighting majors available ?

Just looking for some ideas

Thanks

Mal Skelton
 
I think who has the most PIMs will only give an indication as to who a teams enforcer is (Avery is an exception), but I think just purely looking at the end of a season who has the most PIMs wont tell you who an enforcer is. Over the period of a season you would need to look at each individual game and each individual fight/roughing to see what event merited the enforcer going out to do do his job. Other team tking liberty's with your star guy? Dirty hit on one of your skilled players? etc...

I think an enforcers role is also to change the mood of a game, your team is 2-0 down, your at home, you need to get the crowd back into the game. You put your enforcer on, hopefully he kicks a** and then that momentum is taken forward to possibly spur your team on to score.
 
enforcersonly said:
I think who has the most PIMs will only give an indication as to who a teams enforcer is (Avery is an exception), but I think just purely looking at the end of a season who has the most PIMs wont tell you who an enforcer is. Over the period of a season you would need to look at each individual game and each individual fight/roughing to see what event merited the enforcer going out to do do his job. Other team tking liberty's with your star guy? Dirty hit on one of your skilled players? etc...

I think an enforcers role is also to change the mood of a game, your team is 2-0 down, your at home, you need to get the crowd back into the game. You put your enforcer on, hopefully he kicks a** and then that momentum is taken forward to possibly spur your team on to score.
Click to expand...

I understand the role of the enforcer within the game - I've seen a few over here in the EIHL ( Brad Voth for example ), but I'm trying to identify those players who consistently drop the gloves.

Like you said, Penalty Minutes at the end of the season doesn't seem to work - which was why I was leaning towards fighting majors ........ just don't know where to pick up that info.

It's interesting that you pick up the momentum issue - which I feel is definitely part of the role of enforcer ( didn't Brashear fight 3 times last night in a defeat ), but that's the premeditated part of fighting that the NHL officials want to erase from the game.

My most memorable hockey moments are often fights - Tie Domi 20 seconds into my first ever live NHL game being one, a Sheffield v Newcastle bench clearance in the 90's :D

Mal Skelton
 
There was a set by Classic in, I THINK, 92. It was called "Enforcers" but i think a goalie was actually included in it.
 
jmatchett said:
There was a set by Classic in, I THINK, 92. It was called "Enforcers" but i think a goalie was actually included in it.
Click to expand...

Was it Ron Hextall? I would think it fairly justified if it was :D

2 words Mal: Tough Customers. I think ITG's Tough Customers checklist will get you started pretty good, since that was geared solely to enforcers :)

The other really good thing to do would be to make friends with Richard (enforcersonly) who is probably the most knowledgable enforcers guy around here and would definitely be able to give you a good start name-wise.
 
If the guy can barely play a lick and fights alot he is an enforcer.

Yes Probert and Simon both scored some goals one year, but don't let them fool you.
 
Enforcers, agitators, hard nosed players, a mix?

Theyre all different yes, Fighting majors are the best way to determine enforcers. I also like to think anyone who is big and huge and hits with authority is an enforcer regardless of the number of fights they have (ie: chara and phaneuf).

Is there a stat somewhere for number of bodychecks? I dont think so, but it would be a good indicator of "enforcers" as well.
 
malskelton said:
I understand the role of the enforcer within the game - I've seen a few over here in the EIHL ( Brad Voth for example ), but I'm trying to identify those players who consistently drop the gloves.
Click to expand...

Brad Voth. Man I havent heard that name in a LONG time! Former Medicine Hat Tiger carrying out enforcing duties with Brett Scheffelmaier.
 
enforcersonly said:
Brad Voth. Man I havent heard that name in a LONG time! Former Medicine Hat Tiger carrying out enforcing duties with Brett Scheffelmaier.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you don't watch too much EIHL hockey :D

I live near Hull, so to get my hockey fix travel along there a few times per season - I sit next to the door where the away team enter the ice. Last season when we went to see Cardiff Devils v Hull Stingrays, I swear there was an eclipse when he walked past.

He is a size anyway, but on skates and padded up I thought the hulk had turned up !!

I think the fact that I like enforcers goes back to my first ever game - Cardiff Devils v Newcastle Cobras and Rob Trumbley dropped the gloves ....... old school hockey :D

Mal Skelton
 

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