{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Fighting is a huge part of what draws fans into the game of hockey. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Since the Arizona Coyotes became a franchise in 1996, the team has had quite a few enforcers but which players are the toughest to ever put on the Coyotes uniform? " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "1. Andrei Nazarov", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "122 GP 311 PIMS 43 fights (with the Coyotes)" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crcG13ALHMY[/embed]" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Andrei Nazarov was known as “The Russian Bear” for a reason. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "From 2001-2004 with the Coyotes, Nazarov used his aggressive nature and quick temper to establish himself as one of the most intimidating players in the NHL. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Standing at 6-foot-5, Nazarov struck fear into opponents. He was not afraid to throw punches and consistently found himself in the penalty box during his time in Arizona. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Russian native was hard to read and understand, making him even more intimidating to opposing players." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "2. Paul Bissonette", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "120 GP 229 PIMS 40 fights (with the Coyotes)" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuDnKdwPZ4g[/embed]" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Paul Bissonette is now known as one of the top hockey TV personalities on TNT but many forget his track record as an enforcer in the NHL. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Bissonette played for the Coyotes from 2009-2012 and instantly became a fan favorite due to his knack to fight. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Not all players are remembered by their highlight reel goals. Bissonette will always be remembered for being an enforcer, a trait that helped shape his personality and career. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "3. Jim McKenzie", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "202 GP 548 PIMS 54 fights (with the Coyotes)" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou6rstr20H8[/embed]" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Jim McKenzie played during the Winnipeg Jets’ last season before relocating to Phoenix and was with the Coyotes during their first two seasons of existence. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "McKenzie really was one of the first enforcers the Coyotes organization has ever had and he truly embraced his role as the tough guy. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "He stood at a staggering 6-foot-4 and established himself at the top of the list of top enforcers in the NHL during his time in the Desert. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "4. Georges Laraque", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "56 GP 52 PIMS eight fights (with the Coyotes)" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jsd1osj59w[/embed]" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "While Georges Laraque did not spend too much time in Arizona he made his impact felt throughout his one year with the team. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "During the 2006-2007 season, Laraque found a home in the penalty box taking the role as the Coyotes enforcer. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Laraque stood at 6-foot-3 using it to his advantage, striking fear into his opponents and the majority of the time he outmuscled them. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It takes a special kind of enforcer to just play one season with the Coyotes and be on this list but that is exactly who Laraque was." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "5. Jim Cummins", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "75 GP 237 PIMS 36 fights (for the Coyotes)" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4_AiSpooJo[/embed]" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Jim Cummins just played 75 games from 1997-1999 for the Coyotes but still managed to rack up 36 fighting majors. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Cummins was the definition of a true enforcer as it was his fighting that ultimately got him more playing time on the fourth line during his time in the Valley. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Cummins’ 190 penalty minutes during the 1998-99 season for the Coyotes was the second most in his career just trailing his 199 total penalty minutes through the 1996-97 season for the Chicago Blackhawks. " } } ] }

Top 5 Enforcers in Coyotes History