Some hockey players play within the rules. Others act like the rules are more of a suggestion.
From legendary agitators to relentless enforcers and crafty veterans who knew exactly how much they could get away with, these guys pushed the boundaries night after night. Whether it was a sly hook, a sneaky elbow, or a full-on brawl, they often played as if the striped shirts were completely invisible.
15. Corey Perry
Perry made a career out of annoying everyone in his path, refs included. He always knew how to toe the line just enough to spark chaos without getting tossed.
14. Matthew Tkachuk
Tkachuk plays every game like it’s personal, and the officials are just background noise. He stirs the pot, throws hits, and somehow acts surprised when things boil over.
13. Brendan Shanahan
Before he was dishing out suspensions, Shanahan was earning them. He hit hard, played rough, and didn’t seem all that concerned about who was watching.
12. Chris Pronger
Pronger was a menace with a mean streak and a long memory. He bullied opponents and dared refs to do something about it.
11. Brad Marchand
Marchand has licked opponents, slew-footed stars, and made countless questionable decisions. Yet somehow, he’s always back on the ice with that same smug grin.
10. Tie Domi
Domi wasn’t afraid of anyone, and that included the officials. He fought, chirped, and often treated penalty minutes like badges of honor.
9. Duncan Keith
Keith had a sharp stick and an even sharper edge. He played with intensity and never hesitated to throw in a little extra after the whistle.
8. Scott Stevens
Stevens threw hits that made highlight reels and enemies. He played like the ref was just another fan in the stands.
7. Mark Messier
Messier had a reputation for being both a leader and a savage competitor. He could dish out dirty plays with a captain’s grin and rarely got punished for it.
6. Claude Lemieux
Lemieux didn’t just cross the line—he danced on it. He made a career out of ticking people off while pretending the rulebook didn’t apply to him.
5. Tom Wilson
Wilson brings chaos every time he hits the ice. His physical play often leaves fans and referees wondering how he got away with that one again.
4. Bobby Clarke
Clarke was all about grit and getting the job done by any means necessary. He slashed, hacked, and scraped his way to stardom.
3. Marty McSorley
McSorley was Gretzky’s bodyguard and wasn’t afraid to enforce his code. Whether it was legal or not didn’t seem to matter much to him.
Read more: 10 NHL Players Who Were Just There for the Fights
2. Dale Hunter
Hunter didn’t care who you were or what the situation was—he hit first and asked questions later. His antics made him both feared and hated, especially by referees.
Read more: 20 NHL Suspensions That Didn’t Go Far Enough
1. Gordie Howe
Mr. Hockey could score, fight, and elbow you in the face—all in one shift. He played with an old-school toughness that made rules feel optional.
Read more: Ranking The Top 5 NHL Players To Hit The Ice
