Tough Guys: Hockey's Enforcers on Wild Brawls, High Stakes, and the Code That Binds Them

There is only one sport, outside of actual combat disciplines, where two participants can square off in old fashioned, bare-knuckle pugilism without facing swift ejection. Hockey has long held a place for two willing combatants, and it has been said that “no one goes for popcorn during a fight.”

Fans know what to expect on the ice from players with nicknames like Knuckles, The Grim Reaper, The Bruise Brothers, or The Hammer. Yet off the ice, the men who step into these brutish roles are often the kindest, gentlest and most popular players on a team—not to mention some of the best storytellers to ever lace up skates.

Tough Guys honors the experiences of these NHL enforcers throughout history. Author and longtime broadcaster Dale Arnold profiles fighters across eras, sharing their journeys, struggles, and moments of glory.