These Guys Didn’t Always Respect the Rules of the Sport
Hockey’s always had a code, yet every era seems to produce a few players determined to test it. If you’ve ever watched a scrum turn into something uglier, you know “dirty” isn’t just a synonym for “tough”—it’s the moments when frustration, opportunism, or plain bad judgment crosses the line. These players often drew major discipline or lasting notoriety for incidents that many fans and opponents still point to.
Todd Bertuzzi: The Punch That Became a Warning Label
Bertuzzi’s legacy is permanently tied to the 2004 attack on Steve Moore, which led to a lengthy suspension and widespread condemnation. If you want a single clip that helped shift how the league talks about accountability, this is the one people mention.
Marty McSorley: When the Stick Wasn’t Just a Stick
McSorley wasn’t merely physical; his 2000 swing at Donald Brashear resulted in a criminal conviction and one of the NHL’s most infamous disciplinary cases. It’s hard to argue “heat of the moment” when your equipment becomes the weapon of choice.
Raffi Torres: Big Hits, Bigger Consequences
Torres built a reputation for high-impact collisions, and the 25-game suspension for his headshot on Marian Hossa in the 2012 playoffs is the headline example. If you’re wondering why modern discussions obsess over principal point of contact, this incident is part of the reason.
Matt Cooke: The Blindside That Everyone Remembers
Cooke’s name still comes up in today’s debates largely because of the 2010 blindside elbow that flattened Marc Savard. Even years later, writers and fans revisit it as a turning point in how people judge predatory contact away from the puck.
Chris Simon: Suspensions That Spoke Louder Than Apologies
Simon’s résumé includes repeated supplemental discipline, highlighted by a 25-game ban for a two-handed stick attack on Ryan Hollweg. If that was enough, he also earned a 30-game suspension for a later stomping incident.
