Prior to the 2013-14 season, I compiled a list containing the top fighters for each team in the NHL. I also made projections as to who might be the top tough guy for each team for this past season. With this past regular season having been in the books for over a month, here is the Central Division’s top fighters. (Click here to see the Atlantic Division and Metropolitan Division)
*Credit: hockeyfights.com for stats*
Chicago Blackhawks: In last season’s list, Brandon Bollig was the Hawks top fighter. This season he was on the top of the list again, albeit in a tie with Sheldon Brookbank. Both these players recorded 6 fights each, totaling 12 of the teams 16 fights. Brian Bickell recorded two of the remaning fights, Andrew Shaw and Kris Versteeg each recorded one.
Bollig’s first fight was on October 17th during a game against the St. Louis Blues Roman Polak, while Sheldon Brookbank’s first fight was against Chris Stewart from the St. Louis Blues on October 9th.
St Louis Blues: Ryan Reaves topped the list as the Blues biggest fighter. This past season he recorded 10 of the team’s 32 fights. His fights included some big names: George Parros (Montreal), Deryk Engelland (Pittsburgh) and Cody McLeod (Colorado).
After Reaves, the next two top fighters were Chris Stewart and Barret Jackmen. They combined for 11 fights and, along with Reaves, they combine for 21 of the teams 32 fights.
Nashville Predators: Richard Clune led Nashville as its top fighter, and this season he stays on the list. He was the top fighter recording 16 of the team’s 37 fights. Two of his two fights were with Zenon Konopka from the Minnesota Wild. He also fought top fighters, BJ Crombeen (Tampa), Chris Neil (Ottawa) and Ryan Reaves (St Louis Blue).
Matt Hendricks and Eric Nystrom recorded the next most fights for the season with 6. The three players recorded 28/32 fights.
Minnesota Wild: Last season, I had Zenon Konopka as the top fighter for Minnesota. This season he dropped to second place with 7 fights, as Clayton Stoner recorded 8 in 2013-14. His first one was against Sabres Cody McCormick on October 4th.
Konopka recorded 12 fights this season in the NHL, 7 were with the Minnesota Wild and 5 fights came after he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in January. Konopka has also fought top fighters including Brandon Prust (Montreal) and Rich Clune (Nashville).
Colorado Avalanche: Cody McLeod was the most active fighter last season for the Colorado Avalanche. In 2013-14, it seems McLeod has dueled a laundry list of the NHL’s toughest fighters. He has 12 of the teams 30 fights, and some of his the fights include Ryan Reaves, Eric Nystrom, Sheldon Brookbank and Zenon Konopka.
Patrick Bordeleau was in second place, recording half as many as McLeod. Two of his fights include top fighters George Parros (Montreal) and Shawn Thornton (Boston).
Dallas Stars: Last season with the Dallas Stars, Antoine Roussel was the top fighter. This season he was on the top of the list recording 10 of the team’s 25 fights. His first fight was October 3rd against the Florida Panthers. Two of his 10 fights were against Montreal Canadiens players (Travis Moen and Francis Bouillon).
Brenden Dilion was the next top fighter on the team, recording 4 of the team’s fights. His fights included Marcus Foligno (Buffalo Sabres), Lee Stempniak (Calgary Flames), Ryan Reaves (St Louis Blues) and Ryan Jones (Edmonton Oilers).
Winnipeg Jets: Chris Thorburn was the top fighter last season. He was not considered to be a heavyweight for many fans and I predicted he would change for this season. He finished the season tied for second place with Mark Stuart. Both players recorded seven fights. In first place it is Anthony Peluso, who dropped the gloves for 8 of the team’s 33 fights.
Stay tuned for the final list of top fighters from this past season.
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