Tough Guy Theme Week

[Scurvy 1,596]

In preparation of my theme week article, I searched the archives and leaderboards for players throughout the years who have played with some extra sandpaper in their game.  It was a bit of a daunting process as there are some absolute bruisers who have punished opposing players in the 84 seasons of the VHL. While this list is by no way inclusive to all the nasty tough guys who have played in the league, I will do my best to honor the ones I’ve chosen.  The following list is the top ten in single season PIMS.  It appears the early year players had to endure some rough games. 

 

1.     Da’Brickashaw O’Neal (Davos)-  S13 356 PIM

2.     Da’Brickashaw O’Neal ( Davos)– S11 320 PIM

3.     Scott Boulet (Calgary)                 - S6   313 PIM

4.     Noah Lefevre (Helsinki).               S11 313 PIM

5.     Evgeni Komarov (Moscow).         S66 310 PIM

6.     Noah Lefebre.   (Toronto ).          S14 306 PIM

7.     Guntis Petenis  (Riga).                  S54 305 PIM

8.     Luc Pierre L-L    (Toronto).           S64 294 PIM

 

(NOTEABLE RECENT PLAYER) #17 Randy Marsh (Malmo)- S77 274 PIM

                                                                                             S78  260 PIM

 

 

#1- Da Brickashaw O’Neal (DAVOS)- S11, S12, S13- All time season PIM leader with 356 PIM in S13.   He also holds the #2 spot with 320 PIM in a season, and the #22 spot with 265 PIM in S11.  Ok, so it was very difficult to find info about this dude with so many seasons past.  I could only find him playing for the 3 seasons in Davos and was a Continental Cup winner in S11 and S13.   I would have to say that O’Neal probably played a big role in opening space for his team and instilling massive fear in the other teams.  If he played for another club post S13 I apologize but my computer illiterate ass couldn’t find anything.  If anything, O’Neal showed he could score and put up massive penalties in a few short years.

 

O’Neal career stats in Davos- 288 GP 93G 147A- 240 PTS 1152 PIM 1118 Hits

 

 

 

 

 

 

#17 Randy Marsh- Defenseman S72-S78-   504 GP 85 G 260A- 345 Pts 1450 PIM 1702 Hits.  This S78 Jake Wylde Trophy winner paid tribute to the tough guys of old by playing a heavy old school Defensive Dman game which is dear to my heart.  Playing at the same time as other tough forwards like Druss Deathwalker and Duncan Idaho, Marsh had his hands full night and night out.  His play also earned him a Victory Cup and Continental Cuyp in S73.  @oilmandan

 

 

 

 

 

Druss Deathwalker- (Malmo). 551 GP 217G 279A- 496 Pts 1337 PIM 2747 Hits. No list could be complete without the Deathwalker. By name alone he must rank as one of the great tough guys.  Already at 1337 PIMS and based on this season it seems he will add a few hundred to the total.   @animal74

 

 

 

 

 

Now for this article I tried to take an old school tough guy, a recently retired, and an active player.  This is by no way a list of who is the toughest as that is subjective.  I just wanted to honor some of the gritty players from old-school and now.  I did find it was tough to find some stuff on the super early seasons.   

 

There are many notable tough guys still in the league and are a huge part of their teams.  Duncan Idaho @OrbitingDeath , Henri le Massif @Garsh, Jake Thunder @Thunder, Vinny Detroit @dasboot, and on and on.  So, I hope people continue to make those nasty players and I will try to continue to honor them.  

 

 

Payne #9.  (theme week media sport for 07/31)

 

[Jubis 1,352]

Great   work  

[animal74 1,871]

Thanks for the mention @Scurvy!