Infamous Hits in NHL history

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 9, 2007

Infamous Hits in NHL history

Chris Neil blindsides Chris Drury

Until Chris Simon savagely laid out Ryan Hollweg, this season's most controversial hit was the one that separated Sabres co-captain Drury from his helmet. The blast from Neil -- who was not penalized -- left Drury with a concussion and needing more than 20 stitches on his forehead. ''It was a predator-type of hit where Chris was vulnerable,'' said incensed Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, whose goons quickly instigated a brawl with the Senators. <br><br>Check out the rest of the gallery for more notorious hits that stretch back 52 years.

Cam Janssen nails Tomas Kaberle

Leafs blueliner Kaberle is still concussed and steaming over the hit to his head from the Devils winger that resulted in Kaberle falling into the boards and being carted off the ice on a stretcher. No penalty was assessed, but Janssen later received a three-game suspension.

Todd Bertuzzi sucker-punches Steve Moore

Bertuzzi's savage blow broke Moore's neck, ending the Avalanche rookie's career and igniting a firestorm of bad publicity for the NHL. Bertuzzi was suspended 17 months, banned from the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, world championships and all European pro leagues and sued by Moore. Bertuzzi eventually pled guilty to criminal charges.

Darcy Tucker knees Michael Peca

The Islanders' captain needed reconstructive surgery on his left knee after he was taken out by a questionable low hip-check in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series with Toronto. Islanders coach Peter Laviolette was furious that no misconduct penalty was assessed against Tucker, the Maple Leafs winger who had a reputation for dirty play.

Marty McSorley clubs Donald Brashear

The Bruins' defenseman was suspended indefinitely and later found guilty of assault by a Canadian court for his two-fisted stick attack on the Canucks' Brashear with three seconds left in their game. Brashear's head hit the ice and he briefly lost consciousness, suffering a concussion and memory lapses.

Gary Suter crosschecks Paul Kariya

The Blackhawks' blueliner laid serious wood to Kariya's head immediately after the diminutive Mighty Ducks winger scored a goal. Kariya missed the upcoming Olympics and the rest of the season with post-concussion syndrome. Suter suffered a four-game suspension.

Bryan Marchment knees Mike Modano

Modano was the NHL's top scorer when notorious cheap-shot merchant Marchment took him out with a punishing low hit. Modano missed six weeks with a resulting knee injury. Marchment received a kneeing major, match penalty, three-game suspension and $1,000 fine.

Dale Hunter crosschecks Pierre Turgeon

As he celebrated his clinching goal of the Islanders' Patrick Division semifinal playoff series, Turgeon was crosschecked from behind -- and flagrantly late -- by Capitals winger Hunter. Turgeon hit the boards, separated his shoulder and was lost for the rest of the playoffs. Hunter was hit with a 21-game suspension, an NHL record at the time.

Bobby Clarke hacks Valeri Kharlamov

The NHL's reputation for thuggery spilled over onto the international stage during this now-legendary series. With Team Canada behind in the series 3-1-1 going into Game 6, Clarke unleashed a savage two-hand slash to the sore ankle of Russia's best player. The attack hobbled Kharlamov and sparked Canada to victory in the series. Clarke later admitted, "If I hadn't learned to lay on a two-hander once in a while, I'd never have left Flin Flon."

Rocket Richard tomahawks Hal Laycoe

Never a gentle soul, the legendary Hall of Famer Richard was given a match penalty and suspended for the rest of the season after he laid lumber to the skull of the Bruins' Laycoe and punched linesman Cliff Thompson for good measure. Canadiens fans were outraged by the loss of their team's leading scorer and pelted NHL president Clarence Campbell with eggs at a game the following season before engaging in a wild riot.

Infamous Hits in NHL history