Patrick Kaleta after a healthy scratch in 2013, Rob Ray to reporters asking him about a fight, New York Islanders general manager Billy Smith, Claude Lemieux to Cam Neely after Neely's cameo in the 1994 film "Dumb and Dumber", Sean Avery, talking about goaltender Martin Brodeur. We said Phil Kessel, people! I can only imagine how it made you feel. Sean Avery, talking about goaltender Martin Brodeur, Teams: Hartford Whalers (1993-95), St. Louis Blues (1995-2004), Edmonton Oilers (2005-06), Anaheim Ducks (2006-09), Philadelphia Flyers (2010-11). When picking the most hated hockey players in National Hockey League (NHL) history, its a fine line between genuine hatred, downright jealousy and grudging respect. Most frequent views: Derek Amell (linesman) met Tampa Bay Lightning 21 times. When my suspension is over, I plan to return to the ice with great effort, determination, and love for the game of hockey." Historical NHL fight data was pulled from hockeyfights.com. Yet we blame the enablers as much as Whip for his criminal behavior. My personal two "hate" teams would be the Rangers, followed closely by Vegas. I've never tried to hurt anybody. 5. Not surprisingly, the most hated NHL player according to the study's findings is Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals. Which is the NHL's most hated team? So while some puckheads may not particularly care for Sidney Crosby, Gordie Howe, Mark Messier, Bob Probert, Maurice Richard and Scott Stevens, to name a few prominent lightning rods, we contend that there arent enough valid reasons for inclusion here. It's amazing that they've all been able to bounce back from these injuries, but it makes more sense when you consider how they train. Referee Mitch Dunning - 5 games as a linesman. "Smitty has probably prolonged a lot of guy's careers," Rody says. You know, like the ever-so-subtle slew foot from behind, his favorite stunt. Worse yet, he was known to flop on contact, an insult to real tough guys everywhere. The stark raving lunatic amassed 3,207 penalty minutes, 41 goals, a minus-38 rating and zero Stanley Cups in his career. It came with three seconds left in a blowout loss. In Stewart's new book "You Wanna Go," Stewart said. He did a pretty fair job of it, too all 5-foot-9, 175 pounds of him. They have Smith to thank for that. ForeverBlueshirts.com, Teams: Buffalo Sabres (1989-2003), Ottawa Senators (2003-04). On-ice officials are present on the ice during the game, and traditionally wear a shirt with black and white vertical stripes. While the guy had some talent, its the cold-blooded head hit that will forever be his legacy. "They're not professional athletes, but we're treating them like athletes," Walkom says. "And we need to keep up, too.". Kessel, 28, is having the least productive season of his career since his sophomore campaign." In-season workouts vary from official to official. The Hammer was the baddest of the Broad Street Bullies, the criminals who single-fistedly set back the sport and the league years, if not decades. In his pugilistic prime, he piled up 578 penalty minutes in back-to-back seasons. Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire. Andrew Shaw, Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (2011-15), Boston Bruins (2015-16), Arizona Coyotes (2017-18), Nashville Predators (2018-19), Calgary Flames (2019-21). ), "The Philadelphia Flyers' famed 'Broad St. Bullies'-era teams won the franchise's only two Stanley Cups and although those teams were feared for the toughness of their players, equally frightening was their skill and commitment to each other." The 2021-22 NHL Player Poll is out where 500 NHLPA members voted (anonymously) on everything from the best player to best shot to dirtiest player to best hair. Then, he took his attitutde to Philadelphia, where the Flyboys head coach and his team peeved off even more people. It's basically you against your weight." This public nuisance had few fans around the league for starters, but when he called out the entire gay and lesbian community, his name had a permanent spot on this list. Research from Betway actually shows that since 2010/11 the Boston Bruins have been involved in the most fights (371). If you're new to the channel please leave a like, comment, and subscribe as it would help me and the channel. Chris Nilan, March 2022, after mocking injured Drouin in an internet rant, Teams: Minnesota Wild (2009-10), Chicago Blackhawks (2010-12), New York Rangers (2012), Buffalo Sabres (2012-14), San Jose Sharks (2014-15), Arizona Coyotes (2015), Montreal Canadiens (2015), Scott qualifies as the biggest goon in pucks' history in more ways than one 6-foot-7.75 of violence and a quarter-inch of hockey skills. It seems there is a genuine hatred for St. Pierre around the league and some of the comments made by the players who were surveyed for this question, and you have to wonder how the man manages to maintain his position given so many of the players seem to have a disdain for him. We tend to only notice refs when we think they messed up. No, more like Big Piece of Excrement. One is that they're passionate about hockey. Frederick Breedon Tim Peel is widely known as one of the worst referees in the NHL, right up there with Chris Lee in his complete inconsistency and extremely controversial blown calls. Has anyone turned off more people at more levels than this do-nothing know-nothing? Sneaky. Do that in the NHL, and youre hailed as a tough guy. AtoZsports.com, Teams: Detroit Red Wings (1985-94), Chicago Blackhawks (1995-2002). McSorley was granted a conditional discharge, meaning no charges will go on his record as long as he completes 18 months of probation. Dave Schultz. 2. Referee Beau Halkidis - 10 games as a linesman. (Its hockey. I never waited for someone to tell me the rules, he said. The Cookee Monster could play a little bit. Yahoo Sports, Teams: Hartford Whalers (1984-91), Pittsburgh Penguins (1991-95), New York Rangers (1995-99), Detroit Red Wings (1999), Philadelphia Flyers (1999-2000). They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. "Dale Hunter made a career of borderline hits. It got so bad that the Bs installed plexiglass to separate their bench from the runway to the locker room to discourage any more of his lunacy. Like when he bit the finger of future Hall of Famer Patrice Bergeron in a scrum, for instance. You're not going to do this job, when everywhere you go you get kicked in the teeth.". He typically does about five CrossFit workouts a week, which sometimes means squeezing in a CrossFit workout in the morning and working a game at night. Baileys father was among the less forgiving he had a .45 revolver at the ready before a team official calmed him down. Ron Hextall, Teams: Montreal Canadiens (1963-64), Detroit Red Wings (1965-67, 1973-76), Oakland Seals (1968-69), Pittsburgh Penguins (1969-74), St. Louis Blues (1974), Washington Capitals (1976-78). If that had happened in the old days he would have got hit over the head with a stick right after. If you officiate a perfect game, that means nobody in the arena is talking about you. TheHockeyWriters.com. Dumb-de-dumb-dumb. Steve Downie, Teams: Boston Bruins (2007-15), Los Angeles Kings (2015-16), Edmonton Oilers (2016-19), Calgary Flames (2019-present). "After I was done playing, I was burnt out from all the strenuous lifting. Here are seven other rookies to watch in the playoffs (listed alphabetically): Matty Beniers, F, Seattle Kraken. You wanted to drop it on the floor and watch it splatter to smithereens, didnt you? I've made a lot of mistakes in my life and I know I made one on Saturday. The numbers were pulled together only from English-language comments . Mexican authorities have arrested the head of migration for the state of Chihuahua in connection with a fire which killed 40 people at a government-run detention . PErhaps the most interesting aspect of the responses to this question however was the fact that one official won by a landslide. Peel's career as an NHL referee came to a halt after his voice was picked up by a TV microphone saying he wanted to call a penalty against the Predators during their game against the Detroit Red . Which is to say, very much so. "It was weird at first," says Kory Nagy, left, who played 306 games of pro hockey before switching to officiating, about taking the NHL ice with guys he used to play against. Plus, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joins to discuss the Penguins' rocky road, and Coyotes LW Max Domi stops by. More people were thinkin Attila the Hun, actually. "Then when it comes to working a hockey game, because I put so much time on the other side of it, the physical demands aren't that bad. O'Rourke also endured three shoulder surgeries during his playing days, and his officiating injuries include "a handful of knee stuff," including MCL sprains, meniscus issues and a bone taken out of his knee. His frustration is obvious and just. All the no-good adjectives apply here. This Hall of Famer was a four-time Stanley Cup and one-time Vezina Trophy winner, but his most historic achievement was a dubious one he was the first goaltender to use the hockey stick as a lethal weapon on a permanent basis. If this spit disturber had stuck more to hockey all those years, he might have been a borderline Hall of Fame candidate. Sorry, brah, wrong sport. Rody's feet are propped on a railing and he extends in a plank position, his face nearly grazing the floor. This guy has never been in hockey shape in his life. "They always try to play with our minds. Bobby Clarke, Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (1968-70), Vancouver Canucks (1970-72), Atlanta Flames (1972-77). Not only was this swordsman among the dirtiest players of his era Soviet team star Valeri Kharlamov could vouch for that but he had the face to match. Not exactly a nice guy. When youre going to court for assault with a deadly weapon, it sounds like Im Charlie Mansons brother, he sniffed in a CBC interview. "(Lapierre) probably shouldnt even be in the league and is taking out one of the best players in the world. TheHockeyWriters.com, Teams: Minnesota North Stars (1980-89),Washington Capitals (1989-92), Detroit Red Wings (1992-96), Tampa Bay Lightning (1996-98), Florida Panthers (1998-99). Even some Bruins pom-pom wavers are embarrassed by his act, but because the career overachiever puts up big numbers consistently, theres not much they can say out loud. New York Islanders general manager Billy Smith. "We only go for 60 seconds. The future Hall of Famer also nearly became the first NHL player to kill somebody on the ice in an era without helmets. It wasnt until Gordie Howe turned his schnoz into an S-curve that the reign of terror finally came to an end. "Almost everybody had a tall story about hockey's famous defenseman and unpredictable owner-manager, Eddie Shore. TheHockeyWriters.com, Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (1990, 1995-2006), New York Rangers (1990-92), Winnipeg Jets (1992-95), Has there ever been a narcissist who could boil blood in more ways than this Napolean on skates? From the first puck drop, the defenseman played on the edge with a full complement of body blows, some of which were even legal. He was King Henry VIII on skates, a madman who treated intruders like so many Anne Boleyns around the net. We have to work harder, come in and do something about it." While there are a ton of interesting questions and responses we jumped right to the questions on officiating. He's since gained a reputation as a careless player . Tootoo earned his shot in the NHL as a high-energy winger who could send a message with a thundering body check. Ott had value as a dogged defender, efficient face-off specialist and occasional scorer who could invade heads. The big lug repeatedly crossed the line yet acted like some kind of moral authority. "I don't understand the players of today. In ice hockey, an official is responsible for enforcing the rules and maintaining order. "This is the most hated part for some guys," Smith says. In short, probably not. When Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele did something out of character to one of their players last postseason, the Canadiens moaned to no end. Referee Corey Syvret - 7 games as a linesman. Last summer, when a group of NHL players and prospects pulled into the Canlan Sports Scotia . Joan Laporta came armed with four boxes, 633 referee reports and 43 CDs as he finally broke FC Barcelona's silence over allegations that they tried to buy favourable decisions from officials . Let's just say that O'Rourke must be resourceful. Zac The Hack always finds a way way high, way late, way from behind. ESPN put out a special on "The Top 10 Most Hated NHL Players of All Time," and it ranked Claude second, behind only Sean Avery. "Jonathan Drouin, I'm reaching out to you because I want to apologize to you. Though they work with a different crew every game, the officials treat each other like a team. "Some hits are acceptable. Players surveyed by The Athletic named Wes McCauley as the leagues best referee, with #4 garnishing a whopping 71% of the vote. Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers fans are gonna particularly love this. At long last, the league adopted Rule 48 that prohibited hits to the head. After burning 1,000 calories in a regulation game, how else is he supposed to replenish without a protein shake? Some hits are flat-out dirty. Just this past Sunday in a heated game against the Capitals, Cooke blatantly led with his knee and clipped Alex Ovechkin. "Editor's PicksNHL midpoint awards: Best and worst of the season so far5yGreg WyshynskiHow we'd realign the NHL divisions after expansion to Seattle4yEmily KaplanNHL trade season preview: Eastern Conference5yMatthew Coller2 Related, And then there's Rody, whose body has been ravaged by his job, though you could never tell by his cheery disposition -- or his pregame routine. Fans of course have been frustrated with the officiating around the National Hockey League for years now, but to hear directly from the players regarding who they think is the worst of the worst paints things in a new light. So when Neil says he didn't mean to poke Blue Jackets tough-guy Jared Boll in the eye during their first period scrap Tuesday, it's hard not to believe him." The two most notable of these were both in 2007, both record-breaking at the time, and both due to a deliberate intent to injure another player." His sucker punch from behind left Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore unconscious, concussed and with three broken vertebrae in his neck. "Depending on where you sit, or skate, Bryan Watson, the scrappy young forward of the Detroit Red Wings, is either a living doll or a dirty dog." We're lookin at you, linemate Alex Ovechkin. His greatest achievement was the Rob Ray Rule, which required pugilists to keep their jerseys and shoulder pads buttoned down. Unfortunately for Fontinato, Howe remained conscious and was now incensed. You didnt care for him as a talent-challenged Bruins defenseman; you couldnt stand him as a petulant Bruins head coach; you swore at him as an overmatched Islanders general manager; and you couldnt wait for him to get fired as a smug television know-it-all. "That hit is what happens when you watch Don Cherry rock em sock em videos from age 5 to 18. The nonsense started in the 1988-89 season when the rookie bit Calgary Flames forward Jim Peplinski in a playoff game. "I dont think Im a dirty player. Referee Rob Shick hit both players with match penalties for intent to injure. And the other thing fans should know? He monitors the refs closely throughout the season. (Though O'Rourke was invited to Edmonton Oilers training camp in 1993, he finished playing in Louisiana in the East Coast League in 1997-98; his first son was born that summer and he wanted stability for his family). When there's indecision, you're going to make a mistake." That's a lot of money for us. 1. I would say the teams most hated are Pittsburgh because of Crosby and Vegas because of how the league set them up to be good and because of their pregame nonsense. Whether it be clean or dirty, he really didnt care., "'Dirty' Darius Kasparaitis is a marked man hated and targeted by his foes." 3. Bruins teammates were quick to exact payback, but no amount of flesh could ever be enough. "But I love what I do now. I dont even know. Rody has had both legs broken by slap shots (one from longtime NHL defenseman Andrew Ference). Situp and pushup test. Now, guess who could own the league record for most consecutive games played very soon? "St. Pierre may be the most arrogant human being Ive ever seen. Bob Probert, Teams: Montreal Canadiens (1979-88), New York Rangers (1988-90), Boston Bruins (1990-92). Raffi Torres. "If you don't care about hockey, you're not going to be an official; what a stupid job to take if you don't love the game. Buffalo Sabres. Here are the NHL Teams with the WORST fan bases. Kevin Bieksa reveals the name of the one NHL referee he couldn't stand. But its the little shoulders to the chin, elbows to the chin, small things, slash the goalie in the back of the knees. Lateral quickness test. In one horrific sequence in the 2003-04 season, Big Bert went from a semi-respected power forward to a villain of monstrous proportions. There are two things refs want the average fan to know. After the first shift, hes yelling at us from their bench that hes coming after us, and then he does that. Wilson is one of those players that produces strong feelings for fans on both sides of the spectrum. That guys got a history. "I hate hearing, 'You guys aren't accountable, you don't care about the game,'" O'Rourke says. The Athletics annual player poll results are out. He also could speak French and English, which made him one of the most versatile smack talkers ever. 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