Best wishes going out to Phoenix tough guy, Brian McGrattan today. Brian entered the league’s substance abuse program willingly yesterday for an undisclosed reason. Hopefully he’ll be able to get the help he needs and get his career back on track. I had the chance to speak with him a few years ago when he was in Lowell with the Binghamton Senators. While I admit I was terrified of the man due to his sheer massiveness, I found him to be a pretty cool guy to talk to. I really shouldn’t be surprised. Most of the guys that do the work he does are the nicest guys on earth. For your viewing pleasure, I have posted a fight between Brian McGrattan and Shawn Thornton. I believe this is the first time these two guys have ever fought in their careers. Simply amazing considering how much time they both spent in the AHL. Anyway, get well soon Brian. Hopefully we see you back on a NHL roster soon.
Get well soon Brian
From blue-line brawls to full-blown melees, this season was a gritty masterclass in one of the sport of hockey’s greatest differentiators: dropping the gloves.
The 2024–25 NHL season didn’t just deliver highlight-reel goals and breakout rookies. It delivered pugilistic carnage. And for fans who remember the golden era of enforcers, the message was clear- the fight game is far from dead.
Fists, Fury and a Full 82
There were 297 regular-season fights and two more in the playoffs, ma...
2025-06-29Remembering the greatest hockey enforcer of all time: Bob Probert.
2024-03-25
There’s been a lot of hockey on as of late that featured zero fights. The NHL All Star game, the Beanpot, and "any Boston Bruins game" to name a few.
Seriously, I don’t even remember the last time the Bruins had a fight. I see scraps throughout the National, and other leagues, so I know it’s still a "thing" - just not with our beloved Bruins.
Bruins on Their Best Behavior
A couple weeks ago in a 4-0 trouncing of the Philadelphia Flyers, there wasn’t so much as a cross word. Last nig...
2024-02-14Liam O'Brien battled Trent Fredric, as we referenced the seminal movie classic, Freddy Got Fingered.
2024-01-12
I get this question a lot these days, as friends and relatives are well aware of my proclivity for a good ol' professional on-ice donnybrook. While I have strong opinions as to the best answer - the true future of the NHL hockey enforcer and the fights they once graced fans with - I don't have to like it. And, frankly, I don't.Where Have All the Good Goons Gone?On the ice, are there even any classic goons left? Gone are Shawn Thornton, Trevor Gillies, Brendan Walsh and most of the other Goonblo...
2022-11-07
I always find it a bit inspiring when someone voluntarily puts themselves in a rehab program without all the hollywood fanfare. I have to say though, I think that Sean Avery “voluntarily” checking himself into an anger management facility is a farce. I hope he never sees the ice in an NHL game again, and if he does, I’ll be cheering when someone drops him like Domi dropped Ulf.