"NHL enforcers generally don't score tons of goals, and in some cases, they don't even play that much. But their willingness and ability to fight is appreciated by their teammates and fans alike. In their 100-year history, the Rangers haven't always been the toughest of teams, but they've certainly had a few well-respected enforcers over the years. Here is a very subjective list of the top 10 tough guys in Blueshirts history:"
"Another undersized guy at 5-8, 170, the enforcer for the Emile Francis Rangers played for six NHL teams and was on the Stanley Cup-winning 1961 Chicago team. Traded to the Rangers by Boston midway through the 1965-66 season, he played 31⁄2 of his 12 NHL seasons for the Blueshirts, scoring 50 of his 108 career goals and accumulating 540 of his career 1,470 penalty minutes in 241 games."
"Extremely undersized for a tough guy at 5-9 and 174 pounds, he played in only 115 NHL games in parts of six seasons. But he fought some of the toughest guys in the league, and in his second season with the Rangers (1984-85), McPhee scored 12 goals and had 139 penalty minutes in 49 games."
Matt Rempe became an immediate fan favorite after fighting Islanders enforcer Matt Martin during his NHL debut at the Stadium Series in February 2024. The rookie fought three times in his first five NHL games, drew loud cheers when he jumped over the boards, and his No. 73 jersey became a top seller. NHL enforcers typically produce few goals and limited ice time, but their willingness to fight earns appreciation from teammates and fans. The Rangers have fielded several respected enforcers across their history, including undersized agitators and imposing protectors like McPhee, Fleming, and Beukeboom.
Read at Newsday
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