As the end of the decade approaches there are a million different "Top…" lists floating around the web. The Ref and I have been heavily debating the Top 50 Comedies of the 00′s and we both agree Stepbrothers is getting royally shafted. Naturally, The Hangover is coming in tops on a lot of lists. It’s also #1 on our list of the Top 50 Overrated Comedies of the decade. If you haven’t seen Stepbrothers, do it. NOW! Wait. Finish reading this, and then sit down with Brennan and Dale.

On a slightly more related note, GoonBlog.com has been around for about half the decade and has seen some great enforcers come in to the league during that time. It got me to thinking about who my choice for favorite tough guy of the last ten years would be. I am having a hard time choosing right now for a few reasons. First, I am not all that creative. The second being, if they had a list of Top 50 Things I did to my brain to cause damage this decade with booze and a general lack of common sense, we wouldn’t really scratch the surface of how un-smart I am. Here are some things I am struggling with in terms of prerequisites.

Dennis Bonvie recently retired as the most penalized player in North American hockey history. He’s been playing hockey for a long time now, and he’s one of my all time favorite tough guys. Would he be considered an enforcer of the decade despite the fact his career spans several? Also, does he have enough NHL experience to be considered? Does NHL experience matter? That puts a guy like Tie Domi in the mix. He has all NHL experience and retired in the decade, but does that make him the best of most popular enforcer of the decade?

I don’t care much for wins and losses in a fight, what I am looking for when thinking of this list is guys I like to watch fight, and when I am flipping through the Center Ice Package I stop and say, “Oh, I’ll watch this game because so and so plays for them.” In the end I decided on a couple of definites.

1. If they played in the years 2000-2009, they were eligible.
2. If I followed the career path, they were eligible.
3. If I had personally met and interacted with them off the ice, eligible. This is where a lot of guys score highly.

Without further ado, Goonblog’s Top 10 Enforcers of the Decade!

10. PJ Stock. Undersized for the role, PJ went into the breach with the determination of a hungry Pit Bull in Michael Vick’s back yard. He had three of the most memorable fights in the “New” Boston Garden, and had a hell of a following in Boston. To this day, PJ Stock Crew shirts can still be seen worn to Bruins games.

9. Shawn Thornton. 22 has been a full time NHLer since the 06-07 season where he won a Stanley Cup in Anaheim. Before that, he made frequent stops in the Tsongas Arena with Norfolk, and Portland. Thornton is a guy that clearly enjoys playing a game for a living and keeps penalty box attendants in stitches with his quick wit. On here as much for his personality as he is his pugilistic ability, Shawn has improved his fighting skills tremendously this season.

8. Ben Eager. On here mostly because I marvel at how equipment mangers around the league are consistently able to make a Gatorade bucket look like a hockey helmet. Have you seen the size of that boy’s heeeed?!

7. Darcy Hordichuk. I have been a big fan of him since the old Springfield Falcon days. He also had a couple of donnybrooks with “Mad” Mel Angelstad when they were both in the IHL that are a must see for any fight fan.

6. Ryan Flinn. If there was a more intimidating looking enforcer in the AHL from 2001-2005, I didn’t see him. But then again, maybe I’ve been blocking them out. Shudder. The resemblance to Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart is also remarkable.

5. Gordie Dwyer. Hands down, one of the nicest most personable guys I have ever met. He was hurt a lot of the time he was a member of the Lowell Lockmonsters so I got to speak with him many, many times during games. Not 100% sure he enjoyed the role of enforcer, definitely not at the AHL level, but for a guy that could fight he was the one of the best skaters, and body checkers around.

4. Officer Brendan Walsh. No doubt, the funniest human being on the ice ever. With quotes like, “Half price goatees boys? And "Hey Kanko, give me extra cheese on my taco,” it’s hard to disagree. The only thing that ever got the best of Walshie was a puck according to him; he was a thorn in the AHL’s side for 4 seasons. His one game swan song as a Lowell Lockmoster was one of my favorite memories of the old team.

3. Trevor Gillies. Speaking of the old Lockmonsters, Trevor has been a Goonblog favorite since his debut with Lowell in the 1999-2000 season. One of the best guys off the ice as well, he’s always willing to stop and say hi when coming back to the Paul. His fight in which he and Richard Scott bloodied each other was one of the better fights I have seen in that building.

2. Dennis Bonvie. Every time “Bones” was in the building, the calendar was circled and watched with the anticipation of getting a Red Rider BB gun with a compass in the stock. Could rival Walshie as the funniest person on earth, Bonvie was always entertaining and gave an honest effort every night. Some career highlights include the time he was barking like a dog at Craig MacDonald at the redline during warm-ups, and asking the penalty box attendant if Lowell’s Jan Vodrazka had ever fought before after handling he youngster soundly. Classic Bonvie.

1.Colton Orr. Right now, Orrsie is my favorite player in the NHL not wearing #17 for the Boston Bruins. If Boston were smart, they wouldn’t have waived him a couple of years ago, but that is a whole different post. Orr is as tough and honest as they come these days. He truly loves to fight as evidence by the ear to ear grin on his face while being led to his home away from home to feel shame for 5 minutes at a time. Also, the time I introduced myself to him after I had at least 30 beers after a Bruins game he could have been a real jerk to a drunken guy. Instead he humored me for a few minutes as we talked enforcers, and guys he has fought. I am sure I was making no sense, as the look on his face was an indication, but he was a cool guy like most of the pro hockey players out there are.

So, there we have it. My Top 10. I’d love to see what the group thinks, and welcome any suggestions on guys I left out. Merry Christmas all. Go easy on the egg nog, eh?

So, the beloved Bruins are the feel bad story of the year so far. One minute they look like world beaters, the next they look as if Perkins School for the Blind would give them a run for their money. I think what they need is a real good knockdown, drag em out divisional game to get back on the path to glory. I’m not here to talk feel bad though, let’s talk feel good.

I watched the game Friday with some buddies, and we discussed where Brian McGrattan was. “In Calgary.” I said. Riveting eh? Anyway, Friday night McGrattan recorded a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in just 5:55 of ice time against the Vancouver Canucks. The tilt he has with Darcy Hordichuk is a beauty, with McGrattan scoring a very hard right hand at the end of the fight that knocks Hordichuk to the ice.

McGrattan spent the majority of last season in rehab getting his life straight. Clean and sober now, he’s doing his thing for the Calgary Flames. Calgary is my West Coast team on Center Ice this season so far, as they are a fun bunch to watch. I will be pulling for Brian McGrattan this season, and give him a Goonblog Atta Boy for the Gordie Howe the other night. Keep it up Brian!

It’s here, it’s here, it’s finally here! The NHL announced the schedule for the 2009-2010 NHL season last Wednesday, and I for one, am more excited than Chris Nilan walking into the men’s swimsuit section to find the guard off getting a sandwich. I have gone over the schedule, and chosen a couple of games I am the most excited for.

Thursday October 1. Washington Capitals: Opening night. Finally the stupid summer is over.

Saturday October 3. Carolina Hurricanes: Honestly, I am probably more excited for this game than any other on the schedule. I love the fact the Bruins won’t have to wait long to exact revenge on the Hurricanes, and more specifically, Scott Walker. It’s time to answer the bell. Carolina also signed Tom Kostopoulos who was one of the chief punks on the Canadiens last year. He’s one of the dirtiest players in the league in my opinion. This game has the chance to get very ugly.

Saturday October 10. NY Islanders: Our first look at John Tavares in an Islanders uniform. I am interested to see if his skating is “Glen Murray Bad” or if it’s just NHL bad.

Thursday November 5. Montreal. I can’t believe they don’t play these guys until November. I am eagerly awaiting Hal Gill stepping out on the ice to a chorus of boos like he’s never heard before. Oh, and I hate the Canadiens.

Saturday December 5. Toronto Maple Leafs. Speaking of bell answering. Mike Komisarek, it toll for thee. Milan owes you one big time, and I hope he drops you like a bad habit. I am also looking forward to Colton Orr and Shawn Thornton having a go.

Friday January 1. Philadelphia Flyers. This once in a lifetime event is the talk of the town right now. To say this is going to be the toughest ticket to get is the understatement of the year. Season ticket holders are guaranteed the right to buy seats for as many as you own at the Garden (so if you have 2 seats at the Garden, you can buy 2 seats at Fenway) at a price point to be determined later. I would love to get out on the Monster, or up in the Pavilion, and would expect to pay at least $500 for the right to do so. Am I paying that? Hell yes. Don’t tell MOL.

Saturday February 6. Vancouver. The annual game I take my brother too. I hope Darcy Hordichuk plays, and goes completely mental. Oh, the “Baby Faced Enforcer” Shane O’Brien will be in the barn as well. Good times.

Saturday March 27. Calgary. Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, and Brian McGrattan all in the building at the same time? Are you kidding?! Remember the dudes head at the end of Scanners? That could be me.

Saturday April 10. Carolina. Finishing it off pretty much right where they started. I hope there is a ton of bad blood between these two teams all year, and I’d love to see it boil over at the last home game of the year before the playoffs start.

So, there you have my important dates. If Boston plays the crash and bang style they played most of last season, and no one gets hurt at the Olympics, they should have a shot to be one of the best in the league next season. Fire up the Zamboni, it’s almost time to make ice!

One of my customers called me today and left the following voicemail: “Come on. Drop the fucking puck already!” Amen brother. Amen. Feeling lazy, so I’m letting YouTube do the work. Enjoy.

Ken Tasker vs. Trevor Senn. If you haven’t seen this fight, well, you’ve just never looked for fights on YouTube. A real slug fest and one of my all time favorites.

Next we have probably my favorite fight of all time, Darcy Hordichuk vs. “Mad” Mel Angelstad. I love the announcer in this legendary IHL tilt. One week until the Canada trip. The Ref and I are gonna have big fun! Enjoy boys!

I know I promised something last night about the trade deadline. I went and got drunk instead. Sorry about that. Anyway, I was going to do something tonight, but I got the below in an e-mail from Ed. He was asking if we were still running the T-shirt contest. No we aren’t, but after reading the e-mail below, he’s getting a T. It really says it all. Enjoy.

It’s a ballet on ice, only the dancers hit each other. Teeth fly, the crowd roars in a frenzy, it’s the only time when both teams stand and cheer together. The shedding of the gloves is my favorite part, it’s the quiet silence, before the war.

There is nothing like a good square off, a fighter waves another in, knowing that the punches are about to fly for real, yet..they leave it all on the ice, swing until everything dims, the flashes and plumes of pain blind you, you welcome your 5 minutes of rest afterward..but get ready..because you may have to go at it again later, on another shift, it’s your job. Some guys simply love to fight.

The Goon, the policeman, the enforcer is just some of the names these beasts are labeled.. These Gladiators of the ice are a rare breed, and to pick a favorite isn’t an easy task. I’ve seen a lot of fights, studied them, who is a southpaw, who is the hardest puncher, who is the greatest fighter of all-time ? It’s more than a hobby, it’s a way of life. Being an Atlanta Thrashers fan, I never went to games to see some Russian sniper score a beautiful goal, we have plenty of those guys..
I wanted to see Jeff Odgers or Darcy Hordichuk slug it out with the other teams muscle, or Francis Lessard’s gap toothed smile, the madman who often laughed as he swung till he couldn’t anymore. I think he would have fought the refs if they would have let him. Lessard himself said that he didn’t like to say someone was tough. He didn’t care, he’d fight anyone. He just didn’t care who it was. You wanna go, Lessard would show up, win, lose or bloody draw. They don’t make many like that anymore.

These heavyweights were worth the price of admission, everything else was a formality. The game is great, but the Goons are what makes it special. Even when they lost, beaten, helped off the ice battered and bloody, i felt a mad delight at such a battle.

I’ll never forget a game from years past – in which I saw in person, our resident toughguy Jeff Odgers kayoed by Stephen Peat, I didn’t sleep that night, my hero got slaughtered, the rest of the team was flat, I felt betrayed as a fan. Odgers stuck his nose in every conflict, more times than not, he got the bad end of it. Odgy got his rapid fire swings in, he was never cheated, but the next morning I learned that Odgers had a concussion – but wouldn’t even miss a game, he had new wounds from his exploded nose, his face was a mass of red blooms. I was awe-struck.. I thought he was still in the hospital. I secretly prayed for revenge on Peat and the Capitals fpr pushing us around, but it never really came. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.. they were tougher.

I respect the warriors, these guys have the toughest job in the world. They earn it with busted knuckles and blackened eyes. Some of us bought a ticket to see these thugs “play”. Knuckles Nilan, The Grim Reaper, The Twister, all of the flashy nicknames, faces you’ll never forget, Rocky Thompson, Gino Odjick, a bloody hand waving PJ Stock, winning one for Boston, a tough little bulldog, Tie Domi and his nemesis Rob Ray in their millionth fight against each other,another epic marathon.. the Razor shirtless and trying to score another TKO. Domi’s giant head made of solid bone, it was virtually impossible to cut him, or cause any dents. The Bomber.. Joey Kocur and his donkey punch, minor league legends like Frank “The Animal” Bialowas.. Doug “The Thug” Smith..yeah.. I followed them all.. just wait till Atlanta calls up Myles Stoesz, that kid can really chuck them. Where has David Kaczowka gone.. Joey Teteranko and Bill Huard. These were my heros.. not Mario or Wayne.

These larger than life characters made it all fun, even though it was brutal when reality hit like a sledge hammer punch thrown from Ryan Vandenbussche . Nick Kypreos laying in a pool of blood, heaving and gasping, I honestly thought he was dead.. the dazed and confused look of another punch drunk combatant, a career ended because of a well placed haymaker, likewise for a Kevin Sawyer being helped off the ice and slamming into the glass because he was so out of it, in a cloud of medical problems from taking one too many.. Twist connecting and sending Mike Peluso into a deep sleep, broken eye sockets, piss on wearing a visor, countless fractures and obliterated facial structures..but they kept fighting, as long as they could, these warriors never hesitated to drop the gloves and settle it like throat locked animals in a scrap to the death. It’s a lost art.. it’s not about money or sport, it’s honor, it’s bravery and valid. It puts people in the stands, it builds a team, it’s real hockey. It’s the stuff of stories and legends, movies and allure, I love writing about it..

It was almost delicate, the hush of the most violent moment, the smacking sound of a fist grabbing purchase, knees buckle, the loser crumples to the ice in a heap, the winner with head bobbed, skates off to cheers, the swoon, the flashes and explosions of another bout distorting his vision as he finds the penalty box, the safe haven where you get free ice for your hands, clenched hands that bleed into your pillow at night. It’s about respect..

My attraction and introduction to this sub-sport was the King himself, the Legendary Bob Probert. It was methodical how he’d dispatch another goon with a violent barrage that few could withstand. I think he had all the intangibles, he was dominate longer, he was vicious in his reign of terror that lasted for more than a decade , he was a deeply troubled athlete and he fought until he was old and gray, still knocking down the young up and coming scrappers, Probert met them all at the gate, he beat them all, and it was he who greeted them with fire.

There was nothing like watching big Bob skate down the wing, and exact revenge on an earlier play, no one was safe, and it was no mercy when he unloaded his assault of swarming ill intent laden punches from the rafters. Probert punched holes in people, he was the complete package at 6 foot 4, a monster, a beast, a nightmare on skates, he could switch hands, he had power in both, he was savvy and smart, and more than durable. He was dangerous, and if his jersey was shed, so be it, it’s a fight, you better be ready when taking on the Champ. His chin was that of a legend in itself, it had its own aura and mystique.. Bob simply walked through punches to land his own, and if you made it to the later rounds with Probie, God help you once he started unleashing more hell he had left in that endless tank of his. He had an uncanny knack and will to win, the killer instinct most lack, he was a fighter, he was the best at it. It was scary when Probie would grin at you, that toothless half snarl, I’ll never forget him beating on Darin Kimble after smiling at him in the brief square off. Welcome to the big leagues kid ya know.. even his stoic glare would send shivers through the opposing team. His fight card will never be matched. Who else has beaten Dave Semenko, Dave Brown, Behn Wilson, every name they threw at him Probert would get his knuckles red with their blood. Splitting helmets and a furious attack, often his fights would rage on regardless. I think it was the only time Bob Probert felt he belonged, he was born to fight. what could they do when Probie would batter their tough guy, or smack their goalie, good luck if a brawl broke out, he’d take on 3 guys at once, bashing the faces in on all of them, and always ready for more.. he was a stalwart lion, I often waited for him to behead someone and skate off with their head, his stolen prize, his message sent.

It was the saddest day I ever had when he retired, the King bedraggled, his crown dusty and long removed, his aged and mangled hands, bruised personal life, scars and once overwhelming glimmer…almost forgotten and still able to capture all the glory he had more than earned. There’ll never be another Bob Probert. In our hearts, he’ll never die. He’ll always be the Champ.

I don’t know much about a favorite, but I know it was more than a pleasure to watch any version of Bob Probert out there on the prowl, The Prime Red Wing or aged Blackhawk.. still hammering people with his massive fists. He never ducked anyone, Probie took on the biggest and baddest, every year, even when he had earned the right to not be the Enforcer anymore, the ageless Goon, the blood-swollen God of hockey fighters, the alpha male, the King, the Undisputed Champion of all-time. Probert was my favorite, he was the best there ever was.

-Edward Moreland