Pugilists, Fighters, & Goons: Hockey Tough Guys in the NHL

Although there's less of it now than in the past, fighting has always been part of the game of hockey. Teams often employed at least one player for the specific purpose of fighting and/or protecting the star players on their own team. Audiences generally love to watch a good fight too. How about you? This quiz will test your knowledge of NHL enforcers.

By Dave Morrissey Issue with this quiz?

Dave Morrissey

Dave is an accomplished economics instructor with over two decades of experience in the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. His students have consistently ranked in the top 10% annually, and one year they achieved the highest overall class average in the world. This outstanding achievement led a UK publisher to request that he write a textbook, an offer he declined in favor of creating sports quizzes, which he found more engaging.

In addition to his teaching career, Dave is also a former high school football coach, having won a couple of local championships. While he wishes he had won more, he continues to be deeply involved in football as a scout, recruiter, and social media creator for a university football team.

Dave's passions extend beyond the classroom and football field. He is an avid fan of live music and international travel, often combining these interests. He has traveled to Spain, England, Iceland, and Chile to see bands perform. His greatest pride and joy is his daughter, who has recently excelled in powerlifting. In just a few years, she has become the Canadian record holder for the bench press in her weight class and finished second overall in the combined national event (bench, deadlift, and squat) in Moose Jaw in March 2024. She will be representing Canada at the World Bench Competition in Austin, Texas, in May 2024.

A die-hard fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, Dave has experienced his share of sports heartache, having seen them play in seven NFL cities with six losses. His all-time favorite athlete is Don Mattingly, reflecting his deep love for sports that spans many arenas.

Pugilists, Fighters, & Goons: Hockey Tough Guys in the NHL

What slugger had 326 penalty minutes in only 48 games for San Jose in 1991-92?

Matt Barnaby started his career with 6 seasons in Buffalo. Which other team did he NOT play for?

If a batter gets a single, a double, a triple, and a home run it one game, what is it called?

What 80s/90s enforcer started and ended his career in Detroit and played with the New York in the middle?

If a batter gets a golden sombrero during a game, what did he do?

What former Minnesota North Star had 3 straight seasons with over 350 penalty minutes in the late 1980s?

What Quebec Nordiques and St. Louis Blues 1990s enforcer had a total of 10 goals in 445 career games?

Where did Gino Odjick play the majority of his NHL career?

What was Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer 'Tiger' Williams real name?

What fighter was considered to be Wayne Gretzky's personal protector in Edmonton?

What Buffalo enforcer played 13.5 seasons with the Sabres in the 1990s and early 2000s?

In 1997-98, what Leafs fighter had 365 penalty minutes for Toronto?

What 1970s Philadelphia Flyer enforcer was nicknamed 'The Hammer'?

Who had a total of 370 penalty minutes playing for Pittsburgh and Kansas City in 1975-76?

What tough guy was considered Wayne Gretzky's personal protector in Los Angeles?

What current NHL Head Coach had 3149 career penalty minutes over a 17 year NHL career?

What Montreal enforcer had 698 penalty minutes over 2 seasons in the mid 1980s?

How many penalty minutes does one get for fighting?

Which team did long-time NHL enforcer Donald Brashear play with the longest?

What NHL legend had a unique type of 'hat trick' named after him?

For how many teams did NHL enforcer Stu Grimson play during his 14 year career?

What Chicago fighter had 653 penalty minutes over 2 seasons with the BlackHawks in the late 80s?

What Calgary Flames tough guy had 375 penalty minutes in 1988-89?

What Detroit Red Wings enforcer had 398 penalty minutes in the 1987-88 season?

In 1992-93, what tough guy had 17 goals and 325 penalty minutes playing for Hartford?

What Flyers enforcer had 551 penalty minutes over 2 seasons in the mid 1980s with Philadelphia?

In 1981-82, this Penguins defender had the 2nd highest penalty minutes total ever with 409. Name him.

More Sports Content We Think You'll Love

Dave Morrissey