Fights Matter, The Good Fight

Hockey is known for its fights, teams are known for their enforcers. Do the enforcers add to the team though or just create violence in hockey? Let’s take a look at a few well known enforcers: Tom Wilson, Ryan Reaves, and Matt Martin.

Last year, in his 47 games played, Wilson produced 13 goals and 20 assists for a total of 33 points while spending 96 minutes in the penalty box. Reaves scored 1 goal and had 4 assists for a total of 5 points last season while spending only 27 minutes in the penalty box in 37 games played. Lastly, Martin had 6 goals and 5 assists for a total of 11 points in his 54 games played while spending 36 minutes in the penalty box.

Although these numbers differ, in Martin’s best season, (‘15-’16) he scored 10 goals and had 9 assists while spending 119 minutes in the penalty box. In Wilson’s best season, (‘18-’19) he scored 22 goals and had 18 assists for a total of 40 points while spending 128 minutes in the penalty box. For Reaves, in his best season, (‘18-’19) he scored 9 goals and had 11 assists for 20 points, yet only spent 74 minutes in the penalty box.

These stats show the enforcers on each team mostly play better when they are in the penalty box for more minutes. Sometimes fights aren’t bad, they get the team moving, they motivate their players, and they help the player fighting. It gives momentum. Although these players may not produce as much for the team, the years they have the most minutes, they also have their best production and you can assume that these stats correlate to the team. When players are fighting and motivating each other it creates a good balance and helps everyone.