As Katie Strang of ESPN reports, there are fewer fights in NHL games these days and prototypical hockey enforcers — big, slow guys, whose primary skill comes in standing up for teammates — increasingly can’t find a job. A sample:
Toughness is still valued, but a player must bring more to the ice than simply a willingness to drop the gloves. A guy has to bring energy, show an ability to kill penalties, win faceoffs and be defensively responsible to retain a spot on the roster.
Agent Peter Cooney, who has a stable of brawlers that includes heavyweights such as Trevor Gillies, Patrick Bordeleau and Bobby Robins, as well as scrappers such as Micheal Haley, tries to reinforce to his clients the importance of bodychecking in finding that balance between physicality and utility.
“It’s a more intimidating skill than fighting because you still remain on the ice; you’re not in the penalty box, or thrown out of the game,” Cooney said.
Versatility is key, and there are some players who have anticipated the change and adapted accordingly.
And yes, the change extends down to the AHL level as well.
