The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Save Up to 40% Off True Hockey Sticks, Skates, Gloves, and Hockey Pads at SidelineSwap.com! Fined $2,500 for an illegal check to the head of Jan Hejda on December 29, 2011. You know you've made it as a dirty player in the NHL when not only do opposing players and fans hate your guts, but your teammates do as well. Many guys are dirty players, but very few seemed to revel in it like Tennessee Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan did. His preseason hit on Dean McAmmond in 2007 was absolutely brutal, and earned him a 20-game ban, all of which was deserved. There have been much worse incidents on the ice, but the quantity of infractions committed by him is simply staggering. Its completely unethical. Sporting News has compiled a list of players who grind the gears of opposition fans - and even their own club's - in a unique way. The problem is he used Guelph Storm forward Andrew Long's face as the ball. Wisniewski finds himself on this list primarily thanks to two hits that landed big suspensions. The compilation above speaks for itself and the hits on Kozlov and Draper are sickening. Chris Pronger is another name that is commonly cited when running through the dirty players in the NHL. The above video is sickening to be sure. Also, Lapierre has a tendency of diving to get the call, a bit of a faux pas if youre looking to gain respect in the NHL. Fertitta, 65, is the second known bidder for the Commanders alongside fellow NBA owner Josh Harris, who owns the Philadelphia 76ers as well as the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. Suspended 20 games (in the AHL) for slashing a referee on March 5, 2009. Can we all pause for a second and realize how funny it is that Rinaldo is now a Bruin? He enjoyed so much playoff success, and his battles with the Red Wings are legendary. Clipping is when you hit someone at the knees, and I did not hit him at the knees. This was not just one swingno, that wasn't good enough. I've since graduated from Concordia University with a Major in Journalism and am now pursuing my studies at the University of Ottawa to obtain a Masters degree in Sports Management. He is, however, an important part of his team and is unanimously respected by his teammates for standing up for them no matter what. Only the notorious Matt Cooke is ahead of Patrick Kaleta on The Hockey News list of most hated NHL players. Who did I miss? Added is the extra bonus of watching the inept EMT workers drop Modano as he is strapped to the gurney. Here are the top 15 dirtiest players in the NHL today. What he doesto a degree unparalleled in the NHL todayis make predatory hits. And AP wasnt even really a goon at all, he just snapped, Holy shit. Zac Rinaldo's reputation as a dirty player in the NHL can best be summed up in one of the best stats in the history of sports. Josh. That being said, he was one of the dirtiest players in the history of the league, whether it was hits from behind or sucker punches from behind. Raffi Torres, like Carcillo, is a guy you love to have on your team because he's a hard-nosed, no-nonsense type that every team needs. Hes shattered jaws and forced opponents to sit out with concussions throughout the years, earning him many suspensions. Steve Downie is one of those guys who had to straighten out his act or he was going to be drummed out of the NHL. Byfuglien still has my respect as a tough competitor, but I will now always see him as someone with dirty tendencies on the ice. Alexander Ovechkin, arguably the most electric player on the ice in the NHL, has been a player with dirty tendencies in the past. However, the reason some people have a hard time respecting him is that the so called enforcer rarely stands up to other teams after serving a cheap shot, and shies away from fights altogether. Suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of Scott Walker on January 27, 2009. 1. "Kaspar the Unfriendly Ghost" had a knack for being able to throw them with the best, or the worst of them. Cortland Finnegan. He's previously served a two-game ban for elbowing Rasmus Dahlin, causing the first-overall pick to suffer a concussion, but he's also notorious for late hits that some say are suspension-worthy. Cookes reform has been such that, in the wake of Patrick Kaletas recent 10-game suspension,Cooke told ESPNs Pierre LeBrun that he had offered to help the Sabres forward change his game. 1 -- but also includes ice skater Tonya. Suspended 10 games and the first round of the playoffs for elbowing Ryan McDonagh on March 21, 2011. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Despite all these hits, some people thought he had changed his ways when he had gone over three years without a suspension, only to come back and serve one of the most disgusting knee on knee hits Ive ever seen against Tyson Barrie, who would consequently be out for six weeks. And then there's these guys: our Top 25 dirtiest players in NHL history, players who, while (mostly) productive, we're also considered the scum of the Earth by opposing teams players, coaches, and fans, who not only crossed the figurative line, but lived on the other side of it. The hit was stupid not only because of what it did to Gilbert, but also because Carcillo injured himself on the play. Add to his list of teams the Islanders and the Wild. Another Lightning player strikes in the top 10, Perry is known for upsetting opponents by running his mouth, making late and low hits, and having an uncanny ability to sell penalties. Not many guys his size could skate like he could and we're as solid in all facets of the game as Pronger in the prime of his successful career. There are so many incidents throughout his career that we can perhaps make a top 15 one day of Matt Cooke cheap shots. 10 Worst WWE Wrestlers To Compete For A World Championship At WrestleMania, Ric Flair's Body Transformation Over The Years, Shown In Photos, Why WCW's Ring Was So Different From WWE's, Explained. That is probably the only clip you will see on this list that does not happen on the ice. Hunter was a productive player throughout his career, and a leader on his Washington Capitals, but he played with an edge to his game that would make even the toughest of player think twice about messing with the Petrolia, Ontario native. 15/15 15. Despite a history of illegal and downright cheap hits throughout his career, Marchand has managed to become an important part of the Bruins roster, become a regular scorer for the team and being an importance piece in the Stanley Cup Championship. What can you say about Matt Cooke that hasn't already been said? Racial slurs, skate-stomping, cross-checking to the face, cross-checking to the neck, elbowing, kneeing. He is a proactive enforcer that plays the game hard everytime he hits the ice. His violent cross-check to the face of Tomas Sandstrom, though, earns him a spot on this list, because a 15-game suspension back in Brown's day was unheard of, so you know his hit was dirty. Suspended the rest of the preseason plus eight games for. Suspended two games for an obscene gesture to Sean Avery on October 12, 2010. When picking the most hated hockey players in National Hockey League (NHL) history, it's a fine line between genuine hatred, downright jealousy and grudging respect. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. And many fans in the NHL despise him and the way he is on the ice. Hewas infamous around the league for his low bridge hits and knee-to-knee contact, or throwing a spear or any other number of egregious cheap shots. The attack on Kharlamnov was one of the most heinous premeditated attacks in hockey history. Marty McSorely was a tough guy. Suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of Shane Doan on November 1, 2009. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on the four major U.S. sports leagues regarding recent fines . These are the dirty hitters, cheap shot artists of the NHL. Torres, though, developed a reputation as a ruthless, violent player with no regard for the safety of his opponents. An earlier generation would have found much to like in Torres explosive hit on an opponent in a vulnerable position. Lindy Ruff even benched the New York native at times because of it. The cramped ice-surface with no out-of-bounds to run is akin to a bumper car track, only instead of other "cars" harmlessly bumping into you, there are five opposing players looking to knock you into next week. The French Canadian in just a few years has built himself a bit of a sticky reputation in the NHL, earning himself the title of one of the most loathed in the NHL. Hes been punished many times for contentious hits, and hes committed a slew of others that have drawn the NHLs wrath for which he was fined. Darcy Tucker was no doubt one of the most aggravating players the NHL has ever seen, which is why many celebrated when he crushed by Alex Kovalev near the end of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Also, after his first 61 games in the NHL, he had already earned himself a 20-game suspension for his hit on Dean McAmmond. Instead, Torres was suspended for 25 games (a total reduced to 21 on appeal). He started out as another aggravating plugger, living on the Sabres lower lines, but in the past few years he has turned into an absolute monster on the ice, and not in the good way. Although he claimed it was accidental, lets just say it didnt quite seem that way. When he was in the AHL, he slashed a linesman and got 20 games for that. Between spearing Pavel Datsyuk in his crotch, running Ryan Miller and only picking fights with guys smaller than him, Lucic is one of the most hated players around the league. He also took out Buffalo Sabres forward Jochen Hecht that sent Sabre coach Lindy Ruff into a tirade. Maxim Lapierre has been bouncing around the NHL ever since he made his debut with the Montreal Canadiens a few years ago. That doesn't mean he was a clean player. 11 on this list. Ron Hextall may not have been the dirtiest player of all time, but he certainly was one of the fieriest players to ever play in the NHL. The other side of the Black Ice coin involves the racism that recent and current NHL players like P.K. Dan Carcillo developed his reputation as a dirty player very early on in his professional career. Who are the dirty players on these teams? Schultz isn't higher on this list because back in his day, his style of play was common - the game was much more violent before we knew about concussions and the dangers of head trauma, so it wasn't considered as "dirty.". Seeing the players fight around Dean McAmmond's prone body is sickening. Suspended four games for blow to the head of Matt Bradley on December 6, 2009. Im pretty sure you knew Wilson was going to be number one. Read on to find out. Messier was just as mean and nasty as he was talented. The play had all the ingredients for a premeditated attack; Moore's hit to the head of Mats Naslund earlier in the year, Moore refusing to drop the gloves to answer for it, and Todd Bertuzzi simply losing his mind on the ice. Besides the standard Broad Street Bullies attitude, Brown was one of the most feared (and because of this, respected) enforcers of all-time. Late hits, notably his charge on Jack Johnson that landed him a ten-game suspension, along with a general greasy demeanor and his generally reckless style of play, combined with his ability to aggravate opponents land him higher on this list than most might expect. But wait, there's more, so here are the top 10 dirtiest NHL players today. Williams would look for any advantage in a fight and I guess when you fight as much as he did you're going to have incidents like the one shown above, when Williams throws multiple punches at tough guy Behn Wilson as he is restrained by the officials. Alternate captain Yanni Gourde is on the cusp of making it 13 players. Bertuzzi exacted the revenge by ending Moore's career. This one is worse than both of those combined. Although Ive seen the long-time Senatorplay many times, and I respect him for being a fierce competitor, Ive also seen him be downright dirty, annoying, and hit a little high at times. Cooke, after his latest cheap shot and suspension, has stated that he "needs to change his ways.". So, check out this list of the shortest hockey players in the game right now, andvote up players who have refused to let their size or stature hold them back from making a career in hockey's top levels. Sure in the clip above Jimmy Mann was standing up for a teammate, but you have to do things the right way and there is nothing right about what he did. His rap sheet is endlesselbows to the face and head, checking from behind, skate-stomping, slashing, leaving the bench, punching from behind. Just looked it up, I think youre thinking of Thomas Larkin. Lapierre mashed Boyle's face into the end boards. Overwhelming sentiment against the current Stanley Cup Playoffs format was evident coming out of NHL All-Star Weekend. The Premier League's 10 dirtiest players from the 2020/21 season have been revealed - and Manchester City legend Fernandinho is the worst offender.. Bookmaker BetVictor have worked out who have been the top-flight's most unsporting stars this term based on their average time between bookings.. He was suspended 13 times by the league in his first 12 NHL seasons, [2] and his hits were blamed for injuries suffered by Mike Modano, [13] Joe Nieuwendyk, Greg Adams, [14] Mike Gartner, [2] [15] Kevin Dineen, [15] [16] Peter Zezel, [15] [17] Pavel Bure, Sami Salo, Magnus Arvedson, Paul Kariya, Wendel Clark, [15] and Martin Runsk. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content. Cooke has shown that while he may be a talented player, he is more of a liability and an embarrassment to have on your NHL team, especially when your owner is screaming about goonery. Whether it's cross-checking, slashing, high-sticking, or slew footing, the meanest. Like the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League is finally down [], Jon Jones at heavyweight has had fans salivating since he relinquished his [], Get out your brooms! Wayne Gretzky made it a point to protect Dave Semenko from players who took liberties with him. Who is the best short NHL player today? Who should be higher? The suspension for Cody McLeod's brutal hit from behind on Niklas Kronwall hasn't come down yet, but it's guaranteed to be a doozy despite McLeod's status as a first-time offender. Gudas has a reputation for being a player who is always on the verge of breaking the rules. Each one of these players is known for instigating fights and getting players from the other team involved. The difference is absolutely comical. The guys that get under everybody's skin, whether you're a player on the ice or a fan watching at home. Its clear that Wilsons actions will most likely never change on ice. Suspended two games for a fight against Ben Eager on October 17, 2008. This in itself shows that Kaleta has made many enemies on the ice since his arrival in the NHL in 2006. He didn't have as many opportunities to let out his angerseeing as he had to focus on stopping pucks, but he was always good for a wicked hack across the back of the legs, sending a message to opposing forwardsthat hewould not tolerate anyone getting in the way of him doing his job. They can call it a clipping, but they obviously dont know the rules of hockey. He's a greasy player, a defenceman who doesn't shy away from contact, and that willingness to engage in physical play has put him on the wrong side of the rule book. Like Mark Messier after him, Gordie Howe was so adept at throwing elbows that he incorporated it into his skating stride and often wen't unpenalized. Downie got 20 games for this sickening hit, and it would be the second time he received such a ban. Youll probably see him in the penalty box more often than on the ice contributing. Jarkoo Ruutu was a pest in every sense of the word. Suspended 10 games for an illegal check to the head of Jack Johnson on October 13, 2013. As of now, he has 14 penalties, and last season he ended with 38. I hope he goes to bed with a migraine every night. Dave Schultz, simply put, was one bad, bad man. In other words, good riddance Matt Cooke. However, hes made a much-publicized effort to change his playing style in the wake of a long suspension for elbowing Ryan McDonagh, and so far hes managed to avoid supplementary discipline. He absolutely knocked him out, leaving both his feet to lurch at his head. Bertuzzi could have been an angel the entirety of his career and still would have landed on the list because of this incident; but he was no angel, and his sucker punch on Moore has cemented him on this list. Ranked! What is it with guys trying to murder Tomas Sandstrom? 1. Usually if he was doing something bad, it was from behind. Some guys use their middle names instead of a first name for whatever reason. The list of famous short hockey players features quite a few talented currentplayers in the league today. Marchment hurt so many players in his career it was a wonder he was still able to find a team to play for with guys on it that didn't want to kill him. Fined $2,500 for slew-footing Rich Peverley on October 24, 2009. Daniel Carcillo's career numbers offer insight into his role is in the NHL. Alexei Perezhogin two hand slashed Garrett Stafford in the head during an AHL game like he was swinging a baseball bat and Stafford started having like convulsions on the ice. Brian_Lee_Harvey_Oswald CapFriendly User Profile. Ovechkin scored his 700th NHL goal during Washington's 3-2 loss at the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 22, 2020, joining Wayne Gretzky (894), Gordie Howe (801), Jaromir Jagr (766), Hull (741), Marcel. Although all of these players are excellent hockey players that contribute to their teams successes at times, their reckless behaviour and lack of respect gives them a bad reputation in the hockey world. In a poll of 392 players across the NHL, The Athletic asked the players to answer a variety of questions -- one of those questions being "Who is the dirtiest player in the league?" To no surprise, No. Tucker often inexplicably escaped discipline for his infractions, but he would be paid back on the ice a few times for his many infractions. This is the perfect example of how one incident can be a black eye on your career. He lost the rest of the season to knee surgery. The list is eaten up with NHL players -- Marty McSorley made No. Suspended two games for boarding Brian Campbell on March 15, 2010. This shot at the time was one of the worst offenses anyone had seen in a hockey game. Dirtiest NHL Players: The top 10 of all-time (VIDEOS) NHL Playoffs NHL Draft Write for us Oct 10, 2013; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban (76) skates against the. Tie Domi was called a lot of things in his playing days. I've contributed to several Concordia publications and media outlets (print, radio and broadcast), as well as better-known outlets such as Cult MTL, VersusFootball and The Hockey News. Why isn't he at the top of this list? Lets face it, hockey is a game where devastating injuries are waiting to happen. Hes made a groan worthy play In probably half the mannheim games Ive watched in the past few years. He wasnt suspended for it, but arguably the dirtiest hit in Matt Cookes career was his blindside shot to the head of Bruins star Marc Savard. In the 1983 Stanley Cup Finals, Glenn Anderson tapped Smith with his stick and he went down like he was shot writhing in pain, getting Anderson a five-minute major penalty. Campbell fractured his collarbone and a rib on the hit. Lapierre is a third liner at best with a tendency of serving cheap shots quite often throughout his career. On any objective list of total career dirtiness, agitating winger Matt Cooke would be at or near the top. These incidents are quite similar in many ways. With his team hanging onto a playoff spot for dear life, why would Byfuglien go and viciously cross check someones neck from a vulnerable position? The regularity of these hits in Ovechkins career, such as the one on Briere and Campbell, have been a dark cloud over his career; that and his inability to go far in the playoffs of course. Suspended two games for an elbow to the head of R.J. Umberger on March 15, 2011. Suspended 10 games and the first round of the playoffs for Jarret Stoll on May 14, 2013. Milan Lucic will soon be taking his dirty play to Hollywood, but throughout his career, he has garnered the reputation of being a dirty player. An example of his bad reputation would be when he dangerously hit former Minnesota Wild defenseman, Ryan Suter. An emotional player like McLeod, who would do anything for his teammates, has received the reputation of being somewhat of a dirty player at times, receiving fighting majors and game misconducts at the end of games because of sheer frustration. Even if youre a Capitals fan, you must know this guy is heartless on the ice. That hit would see Savard miss the rest of the season and change him as a player forever. He's the kind of guy you love to have on your roster because he will be the first one in a scrum and will always defend a teammate, but he's also the guy who will make you shake your head and cost your team when he does things like slamming then Oilers defenseman Tom Gilbert into the board or assaulting a referee during an Eastern Conference Final game.