The 15 Most Infamous Players In NHL History

The 15 Most Infamous Players In NHL History

By Jeff Henning

October 21, 2015

The 15 Most Infamous Players In NHL History

Sean Avery — In the NHL, there’s no shortage of hard hits, savage scraps and all-out battles on the ice. There’s no doubt that the NHL has produced some of the toughest athletes in history. Sometimes players can take things too far. From dirty hits, to cheap shots, to straight-up tough guys, here is a list of the NHL’s most infamous players.

In the NHL, there’s no shortage of hard hits, savage scraps and all-out battles on the ice. There’s no doubt that the NHL has produced some of the toughest athletes in history. Sometimes players can take things too far. From dirty hits, to cheap shots, to straight-up tough guys, here is a list of the NHL’s most infamous players.

(Dis)Honorable Mentions

Tie Domi

(Dis)Honorable Mentions

Tie Domi — Honorable Mentions:
- Tie Domi
- Marty McSorley
- Steve Downie
- Zdeno Chara
- Darcy Tucker
- Dave Brown

Honorable Mentions:
- Tie Domi
- Marty McSorley
- Steve Downie
- Zdeno Chara
- Darcy Tucker
- Dave Brown

15. Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe

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15. Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe — Let's not mince words here -- Gordie Howe is one of the best hockey players to ever play the game. He has also become a key ambassador to the game and is beloved by all who follow the sport. Howe cracks this list for being the namesake of a hat-trick variation that involves scoring a goal, recording an assist and getting into a scrap during the course of one game.

Let's not mince words here -- Gordie Howe is one of the best hockey players to ever play the game. He has also become a key ambassador to the game and is beloved by all who follow the sport. Howe cracks this list for being the namesake of a hat-trick variation that involves scoring a goal, recording an assist and getting into a scrap during the course of one game.

14. Jeremy Roenick

Jeremy Roenick

14. Jeremy Roenick

Jeremy Roenick — While Jeremy Roenick isn’t known for dirty hits that ended careers, he is most certainly known for his big mouth and extensive trash talking. From the verbal spat he got in with Patrick Ro, to his well-known issues with referees, Roenick’s mouth, without a doubt, puts him on the list of infamous players.

While Jeremy Roenick isn’t known for dirty hits that ended careers, he is most certainly known for his big mouth and extensive trash talking. From the verbal spat he got in with Patrick Ro, to his well-known issues with referees, Roenick’s mouth, without a doubt, puts him on the list of infamous players.

13. Rick DiPietro

Rick DiPietro

13. Rick DiPietro

Rick DiPietro — Rick DiPietro cracks this list as one of the biggest draft busts in NHL history. DiPietro went No. 1 overall in 2000 after being drafted by the New York Islanders. After six mediocre seasons with the Isles, DiPietro was signed to a 15-year extension. DiPietro only made one All-Star team as a reserve in 2008. (Note: Henrik Lundqvist was taken in the seventh round of the 2000 draft)

Rick DiPietro cracks this list as one of the biggest draft busts in NHL history. DiPietro went No. 1 overall in 2000 after being drafted by the New York Islanders. After six mediocre seasons with the Isles, DiPietro was signed to a 15-year extension. DiPietro only made one All-Star team as a reserve in 2008. (Note: Henrik Lundqvist was taken in the seventh round of the 2000 draft)

12. Dany Heatley

Dany Heatley

12. Dany Heatley

Dany Heatley — Dany Heatley was a skilled offensive player. When he broke into the league during the 2001-02 season, Heatley was able to collect the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. Heatley continued to progress into a superstar the next season. However, in late September of 2003 Heatley and fellow teammate Dan Snyder were involved in a gruesome wreck. Snyder later died from his injuries and Heatley would be charged with vehicular homicide.

Dany Heatley was a skilled offensive player. When he broke into the league during the 2001-02 season, Heatley was able to collect the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. Heatley continued to progress into a superstar the next season. However, in late September of 2003 Heatley and fellow teammate Dan Snyder were involved in a gruesome wreck. Snyder later died from his injuries and Heatley would be charged with vehicular homicide.

11. Todd Bertuzzi

Todd Bertuzzi

11. Todd Bertuzzi

Todd Bertuzzi — Todd Bertuzzi isn’t necessarily the worst kind of villain, but he most certainly belongs on this list. In 2004, when Bertuzzi was with the Vancouver Canucks, He sucker-punched Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore and effectively ended his career. It was without a doubt a dirty hit, and Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely.

Todd Bertuzzi isn’t necessarily the worst kind of villain, but he most certainly belongs on this list. In 2004, when Bertuzzi was with the Vancouver Canucks, He sucker-punched Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore and effectively ended his career. It was without a doubt a dirty hit, and Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely.

10. Mike Milbury

Mike Milbury

10. Mike Milbury

Mike Milbury — Although Mike Milbury has since toned it down as an announcer, he is without a doubt one of the most infamous players in NHL history. In late December, 1979, Milbury was involved in a scrum during a game between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. The fight spilled into the stands and Milbury took exception from fans and fought them as well.

Although Mike Milbury has since toned it down as an announcer, he is without a doubt one of the most infamous players in NHL history. In late December, 1979, Milbury was involved in a scrum during a game between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. The fight spilled into the stands and Milbury took exception from fans and fought them as well.

9. Dale Hunter

Dale Hunter

9. Dale Hunter

Dale Hunter — Dale Hunter has had a lot of success in the NHL. From player to coach, Hunter has been involved in the game for nearly three decades. Although the amount of borderline hits Hunter delivered in his career is countless, he is probably best known for his unnecessary cross-check on Islanders forward Pierre Turgeon in the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Dale Hunter has had a lot of success in the NHL. From player to coach, Hunter has been involved in the game for nearly three decades. Although the amount of borderline hits Hunter delivered in his career is countless, he is probably best known for his unnecessary cross-check on Islanders forward Pierre Turgeon in the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs

8. Dave Schultz

Dave Schultz

8. Dave Schultz

Dave Schultz — When you're the biggest tough guy on a team that was nicknamed the “Broad Street Bullies,” you are absolutely going to make this list. “The Hammer,” as he’s known, could be the father of the modern day enforcer. Schultz was a very valuable player who helped the Philadelphia Flyers win their two Stanley Cups. (Note: Schultz still holds the record for most PM’s in a season with 472)

When you're the biggest tough guy on a team that was nicknamed the “Broad Street Bullies,” you are absolutely going to make this list. “The Hammer,” as he’s known, could be the father of the modern day enforcer. Schultz was a very valuable player who helped the Philadelphia Flyers win their two Stanley Cups. (Note: Schultz still holds the record for most PM’s in a season with 472)

7. Bobby Clarke

Bobby Clarke

7. Bobby Clarke

Bobby Clarke — Another member of the “Broad Street Bullies,” Clarke was a more polished player than his teammate Dave Schultz. That didn’t stop him from being just as big of an agitator. Clarke wasn’t known as the most willing participant in a fight, but he was more than likely getting under the skins of opposing players nonetheless.

Another member of the “Broad Street Bullies,” Clarke was a more polished player than his teammate Dave Schultz. That didn’t stop him from being just as big of an agitator. Clarke wasn’t known as the most willing participant in a fight, but he was more than likely getting under the skins of opposing players nonetheless.

6. Chris Simon

Chris Simon

6. Chris Simon

Chris Simon — Chris Simon was an interesting case in contrast. Though it is widely reported that Simon was a good teammate, he seemed to have an on-ice persona that was vicious and demented. From intentionally trying to injure Jarkko Ruutu, to swinging his stick as if it was a baseball bat, Simon no doubt deserves a spot on this list.

Chris Simon was an interesting case in contrast. Though it is widely reported that Simon was a good teammate, he seemed to have an on-ice persona that was vicious and demented. From intentionally trying to injure Jarkko Ruutu, to swinging his stick as if it was a baseball bat, Simon no doubt deserves a spot on this list.

5. Matt Cooke

Matt Cooke

5. Matt Cooke

Matt Cooke — If not for Sean Avery, Matt Cooke may be the most hated player in the NHL, and for good reason. Cooke has been involved in several on-ice incidents, including the infamous elbow that leveled Bruins forward Marc Savard. It was a vicious cheap-shot that ended Savard’s career. Cooke has since moved away from being a truly dirty hitter, but his past will always remain.

If not for Sean Avery, Matt Cooke may be the most hated player in the NHL, and for good reason. Cooke has been involved in several on-ice incidents, including the infamous elbow that leveled Bruins forward Marc Savard. It was a vicious cheap-shot that ended Savard’s career. Cooke has since moved away from being a truly dirty hitter, but his past will always remain.

4. Ulf Samuelsson

Ulf Samuelsson

4. Ulf Samuelsson

Ulf Samuelsson — Ulf Samuelson is widely regarded as one of the dirtiest players in NHL history. Samuelsson had a knack for trying to hit low on opponents' knees. His hits may be the most infamous in NHL history. In the 1991 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Samuelsson, who was playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins at the time, delivered an awful knee-on-knee hit on Boston’s Cam Neely.

Ulf Samuelson is widely regarded as one of the dirtiest players in NHL history. Samuelsson had a knack for trying to hit low on opponents' knees. His hits may be the most infamous in NHL history. In the 1991 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Samuelsson, who was playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins at the time, delivered an awful knee-on-knee hit on Boston’s Cam Neely.

3. Eddie Shore

Eddie Shore

3. Eddie Shore

Eddie Shore — Eddie Shore is without a doubt one of the toughest guys on this list (and to ever play in the NHL). A fearsome player, Shore is best known for hitting Maple Leafs' Ace Bailey and fracturing his skull. Although Bailey did survive, he never played another game in the NHL after that hit.

Eddie Shore is without a doubt one of the toughest guys on this list (and to ever play in the NHL). A fearsome player, Shore is best known for hitting Maple Leafs' Ace Bailey and fracturing his skull. Although Bailey did survive, he never played another game in the NHL after that hit.

2. Claude Lemieux

Claude Lemieux

2. Claude Lemieux

Claude Lemieux — Claude Lemieux, like a lot of guys on this list, are great agitators who had successful NHL careers. Unfortunately, Lemieux also makes this list for a very questionable hit on Detroit’s Kris Draper. Due to the hit, Draper needed to undergo multiple surgeries for facial reconstruction. In delivering this hit, Lemieux spawned one of the greatest and most bitter rivalries in all of sports between the Red Wings and Avalanche.

Claude Lemieux, like a lot of guys on this list, are great agitators who had successful NHL careers. Unfortunately, Lemieux also makes this list for a very questionable hit on Detroit’s Kris Draper. Due to the hit, Draper needed to undergo multiple surgeries for facial reconstruction. In delivering this hit, Lemieux spawned one of the greatest and most bitter rivalries in all of sports between the Red Wings and Avalanche.

1. Sean Avery

Sean Avery

1. Sean Avery

Sean Avery — Avery is the most hated man in hockey and probably all of sports in general. While Avery was a valuable commodity as an agitator, his poor attitude and disparaging remarks made him more of a spectacle than a hockey player. From dirty hits, to the “Avery Rule,” Avery has certainly left a black eye on the world of hockey.

Avery is the most hated man in hockey and probably all of sports in general. While Avery was a valuable commodity as an agitator, his poor attitude and disparaging remarks made him more of a spectacle than a hockey player. From dirty hits, to the “Avery Rule,” Avery has certainly left a black eye on the world of hockey.

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