VHL Toughest Players

[Scurvy 1,749]

 

  

 

This season’s theme week is near and dear to my heart.  I grew up playing hockey and the player’s I idolized were the toughest of the tough.  I would watch hockey games on TV and grin with excitement when I saw Bob Probert, Tony Twist, or Marty McSorley jump on the ice, waiting for something to kick off.   Like the NHL, in the VHL these players are appreciated by their teammates.  To start, I will post my top five NHL tough guys (now, my opinion only) and then give their VHL comparisons.

 

1.        Bob Probert- My all-time favorite tough guy.  I own every hockey card ever made with Bob Probert on it. Tough as nails and could punish players with his skills as well.  All around the most you could ask for in a tough guy (minus the cocaine addiction). 

2.        Dave Brown- A fellow southpaw this dude reeked havok in the league.  Fearless and mean he could arguably be the toughest of all time.

3.        Joey Kocur-  Hit like a cement truck and member of the bruise brothers in Detroit.  I know I would never want to play against a team with Probert and Kocur milling around.

4.        Georges Laraque- This fella could easily be considered among the toughest of all-time and might even be up for top spot.  Lefty killer that if you google any fights he had I challenge you to find one he lost.  Absolute killer who backed down from nobody.

5.        Tony Twist- Now he skates like shit and hockey skills are blah but back then when league valued killers he was among the best.  Vicious right hand and loved the role.  On pure toughness he must be on the list even though he probably played 4 minutes a game. 

 

  

HONORABLE MENTION:  Now this pick might seem weird, but Link Gaetz is my honorable mention. I watched him play junior in Spokane WA (Spokane Chiefs-WHL) and he murdered every tough guy in the league (Including Tony Twist).  2^nd rounder he ruined his NHL career with drinking and partying, but had he kept at it I think he might have made the top 5.  The Missing Link was truly frightening 

 

Now in the VHL it is a much safer atmosphere to fight.  I love the physical element of the game, and I always keep a sharp eye on the heavy hitters and brawlers of the league.  I started my VHL career in Season 81, so my knowledge of the early years and their tough guys is limited other than looking at the record books.  So, making a list of top 5 is near impossible BUT I will give my opinion on who I think based on my time should be considered.

 

1.         Tommy Sleeves @dasboot-  I mean since I have been in VHL community, user @dasboot has made some of the ultimate fan favs of toughness.  Between Vinny Detroit and now Tommy Sleeves I am sure that teams mark the date they play these guys.  Sleeves is the first modern player to crack the top 5 in PIMS all-time with 336 PIMS.  356 is the most and that was in S13.  Insane accomplishment so he gets my vote for toughest player of the modern era.

 

2.         Da’Brickashaw O’Neal – This Davos legend holds the #1 and #3 spot all time in PIMS for a season. 356 PIMS in S13 and 320 in S11, those records stood the test of time and just like the NHL, I am sure the VHL toughs in the early days were twice as deadly. Not during my time but have show love to the all-time leader in PIMS. 

 

3.         Edwin Encarnacion- This old timer wrecked the VHL in Seasons 35-42 and is riddled over the top 25 in PIMS for several seasons.  It’s a special player who can hit 300 + times a season and wrack mid 250 and above in PIMs.  Not sure who the user was but he made the top 5.  

 

4.         Toby Kadachi @ROOKIE745- Kadachi is making the list based on the last few seasons where I truly think if his mother walked out on the ice during a game, he would body check her as well.  Toby hits EVERYTHING with 443 last season. He also might be the best player and can play the role of scorer and mitt shedder.  He wins my “Bob Probert” award for being a two-way killer.  

 

5.         This was a tough one for me.  Historical players like Vinny Detroit make a case, or more recent players like Fradin McGryer @Fradin99, Alfred Champagne also deserve a shout out.  Even currents like Guntis Gavilrovs @Girts are worthy.  But I am going with defenseman, Callum Gary Yannick Janser @Daniel Janser Daniel.  Always near the top in PIMS and hits, he is also a point per game defender in NY.  CGY will shed the mitts and is usually near the top in fights and now paired up with Guntis they are the true Bash Brothers of the VHL.  

 

  

There you have it, my list of top 5 toughest in both leagues.  I know I probably overlooked some real toughs so if so, my bad.  Hope everyone had a great weekend! 

 

Edited Monday at 05:34 PM by Scurvy

[ROOKIE745 625]

A player that inspired me in creating Toby Kadachi was Stu Grimson (aka the Grim Reaper). We was one of the toughest, no doubts about that.

[Thunder 1,315]

Surprised you didnt even mention Rip Wheeler.  Aren’t you shocked @ScottyP?

[Daniel Janser 2,322]

14 hours ago, Scurvy said:

3.         Edwin Encarnacion- This old timer wrecked the VHL in Seasons 35-42 and is riddled over the top 25 in PIMS for several seasons.  It’s a special player who can hit 300 + times a season and wrack mid 250 and above in PIMs.  Not sure who the user was but he made the top 5.  

I think that was Tagger aka @MubbleFubbles but I might be wrong...

[MubbleFubbles 1,304]

2 hours ago, Daniel Janser said:

I think that was Tagger aka @MubbleFubbles but I might be wrong...

Indeed, my first serious attempt at a player