FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[retagent]

There really aren't "goons" as we used to know them any more. The game has evolved into a much faster, highly skilled game, and the no talent guys are too much of a detriment. There are still guys who are called "policemen" now, although I'm not sure that term is entirely accurate either. They make sure that no one takes "liberties" with the star players. Some, Jerome Iginla comes to mind, will score 30+ goals, but will take care of his own disputes.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I haven't looked at this board for several months, but I am really enjoying this discussion.
There has been some discussion lately of the long term effect of head trauma among the enforcers.  Any comment on that.  Football would also be part of that discussion.
And to cover both discussions, it seems boxers at the higher levels have to be the fittest.

Bob Probert, enforcer extrodinaire for the Red Wings, was found after his death to have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy.  It is not confirmed whether or not this contributed to his death at the tragically early age of 45 (he was also an alcoholic and cocaine abuser, and apparently died of a heart attack).

Probert was clearly a 'goon', though not the total low-skill variety, as he several seasons had more than 40 points.  He finished his career 6th on the all-time penalty-minute list.

He was definitely one of those guys you love on your team (I'm a Wings fan) but would utterly revile elsewhere!  Objectively, he was a moron, but he was OUR moron!

[Mr. Ypsi]

I realized on re-reading the post that I was WAY too harsh on Bob Probert.  By all accounts, he was a really nice guy (gave out hundreds if not thousands of tickets to poor kids; appeared for lots of charity doings), but extremely troubled.  He was one of the most beloved Wings, but they finally cut ties after yet another legal incident; GM Ken Holland said (in effect): we loved him, but he took more energy than the rest of the team put together because of his off-ice problems.

It is a tribute to his good qualities that Red Wings fans still applauded him during his Blackhawk days (except, of course, when he was beating the crap out of one of our guys! ).

[retagent]

One of the odd things is you hear about most of the tough guys, is that they are really nice guys off the ice. Can't explain it, but how about the ad on TV where Stu Grimson is singing Itsy Bitsy Spider to his daughter over the phone.

As long as it seems  that at least a few are following this, I'll keep it going.

A good story (especially as a Cap fan) is Matt Hendricks. A good Minnesota boy, he was just kind of drifting as a journeyman type player in the NHL. A friend tells him that he could extend his career if he took on the "enforcer" role. He finally gets traded to the Capitals, and catches the eye of his coach, Bruce Boudreau. He makes a name for himself standing up for his teammates. Not a particularly big guy, he takes, as well as he gives. In the HBO series, "24/7" prior to the outdoor Classis against the Penguins, a couple years ago, Boudreau is seen telling the battered Hendricks that he doesn't have to fight every game. Let somebody else do it once in a while.

To add to the story, last year he gets put into a Shootout after a game ends in a tie after OT. He puts a sick move on one of the leagues top goalies and completely undresses him. He gets more chances in the Shootouts, and is unstoppable. They now know what he can do, but still can't stop him. Check him out on U tube. There's a number of his talents.

[02 Warhawk]

My brush with hockey greatness.....

A neighbor purchased the hockey rink of a high school that had discontinued the sport and has it set up in his backyard.  It's a pretty nice setup and he even purchased a used zamboni.  On weekends there's a group of guys who stop by and they have pick up games.  At any rate one weekend I drive by and there's ten times the number of cars parked up and down the road and there's a pretty large crowd gathered around the ice rink.  Being curious I decided to stop and see what was going on.  So I'm watching them play and there's this one older guy who's clearly way, way, way better than any of the others.  He's dominating play and most of the regulars seem to be in awe of him.  He scores twice without even trying in the ten minutes I'm watching.  After watching for a while I left.  The next day I see my neighbor and ask him what was happening.  It turns out that he had entered his ice rink in a contest sponsored by a company that sells outdoor rinks and his rink had been selected as the best outdoor hockey rink in America or something like that.  The prize for winning...a game with Bobby Hull.  As I've mentioned earlier I'm not much for hockey but even I know who Bobby Hull is.  However I am not able to recognize him when I see him.

Oh man...I'm jealous. You got to see the Golden Jet!

[02 Warhawk]

There really aren't "goons" as we used to know them any more. The game has evolved into a much faster, highly skilled game, and the no talent guys are too much of a detriment. There are still guys who are called "policemen" now, although I'm not sure that term is entirely accurate either. They make sure that no one takes "liberties" with the star players. Some, Jerome Iginla comes to mind, will score 30+ goals, but will take care of his own disputes.

After what he did to Hossa last season, Raffe Torres will ALWAYS be a goon in my mind. Torres wasn't "policing" anything when his feet left the ice and drove his shoulder through Hossa's head (almost ending his career...or worse). And it's not like it was an isolated instance......that SOB is a repeat offender.

Yes, goons aren't what they used to be...but there are still some around. The Hawks had one up until last season in John Scott. He's a big mother (6'8" 265lbs) that has next to zero skill and can barely skate....but I don't think he lost a fight in his NHL career.

[footballfan413]

I don't know why I even wasted time arguing about the level of fighting in the NHL and defending my distaste for it.  I should have just sat back and let you hockey fans reminisce.   
Sorry, I couldn't resist.  Carry on..............................

[02 Warhawk]

I don't know why I even wasted time arguing about the level of fighting in the NHL and defending my distaste for it.  I should have just sat back and let you hockey fans reminise.   
Sorry, I couldn't resist.  Carry on..............................

I'm enjoying this...Not much DIII football to talk about these days anyways 

[Mr. Ypsi]

I don't know why I even wasted time arguing about the level of fighting in the NHL and defending my distaste for it.  I should have just sat back and let you hockey fans reminise.   
Sorry, I couldn't resist.  Carry on..............................

I'm enjoying this...Not much DIII football to talk about these days anyways 

Beats talking about Hamm's or ice fishing!

[retagent]

I think guys like Raffi Torres are in a class(less) all their own. It wasn't the first time for him either. They just have no respect for their fellow players.

[emma17]

It's interesting how most team sports have a version of the enforcer role.  It's couched in the idea that the enforcer protects his teammates- and to an extent he does.  But it's getting into an opponent's psyche that has the impact. Get the opponent thinking about:
1) getting blindsided center ice
2) getting bent in half crossing the middle
3) getting upended driving the lane
4) getting a fast ball to the head
... That just might reduce concentration ever so slightly. 

Not trying to change the subject- but I like the way the new rule in the NFL is going regarding defenseless players. I think the rule will encourage proper tackling while reducing serious injuries.

[kubiack78]

you can't forget about the most famous "goons" of all...

[retagent]

You know, one of the Hanson Brothers (actually Carlson) coaches in Kenosha. At least I think he still does.

[oshfb]

The best thing about hockey is that it isn't soccer. 

I would rather sprint for a couple minutes, rest, repeat as happens in a hockey game versus running 90 minutes straight.

[oshfb]

I don't know why I even wasted time arguing about the level of fighting in the NHL and defending my distaste for it.  I should have just sat back and let you hockey fans reminise.   
Sorry, I couldn't resist.  Carry on..............................

I'm enjoying this...Not much DIII football to talk about these days anyways 

Any update on the former UWW player who signed a "future" contract with the Jets? Did that happen?