Enforcers provide more than just a good fight on the ice. I take offense when people say they went to fight and a hockey game broke out. Fights in hockey aren't just entertainment, there's more to it than that.
1. Enforcers protect the other players on the ice, allowing them to play their game. When you see a team before they have an enforcer compared to when they pick one up, you see a different team. Carolina, Detroit, and Florida are all examples of this. While Carolina and Detroit were good, if not great, teams before their respective enforcers joined the team, the players opened up their play because they knew there was someone watching their back. Players play a little taller when they have a heavweight watching out for them.
2. Enforcers provide energy.
Whether it's by a big hit or great fight, enforcers can provide energy for their teammates and the fans. There are 3 things that bring fans out of their seats and start them cheering wildly: a goal (especially one that looked impossible), a monstrous hit, or a fight. Fans cheering so wildly pumps up the team.
3. If an enforcer can get a star player to drop the gloves, he's got that star player sitting in the box for 5 minutes, meaning he's not on the ice. Which would you rather have sitting for 5 minutes, the LeCavalier and Iginla's, or the Boogaard and Hordichuk's? They aren't able to get the stars to drop their gloves often, but it has happened.
4. Enforcers are usually the nicest guys off the ice and are fan favorites. Paul Laus was one of the easiest guys to talk to and enjoyed talking about things such as hockey, Disney, and family. Wade Belak has some of the best interviews out there. Class acts.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Why Enforcers Are Needed in Hockey
Posted by R.T. Beese at 6:19 AM
Labels: Enforcers, Hockey Fights
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2 comments:
Help me understand, an enforcers job is to not only play a postion but to do what?
How does this person provide potection.
This person is like a designated hitter, literally.
later...
The enforcers take up a 4th line position, usually. Some are good enough players that they can be moved up to the 3rd and sometimes the 2nd, if needed. They're usually 3rd pairing defenseman if they're a defenseman.
Their job is to help hold the opposition in check. Without an enforcer, opposing teams tend to take liberties against the better players on the team. They'll hit them late and will try to goad them into a fight. The enforcers even the playing field a bit.
So yes, he's literally the designated hitter/fighter. They're the bodyguards.
Thanks for stopping by man!
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