Chicago Blackhawks sign NHL great enforcer to 3-year contract on this day in history
Photo credit: NHL
The Chicago Blackhawks signed an enforcer to a three-year contract on this day in history.
The Chicago Blackhawks' Centennial season celebrations are set to begin soon, and we thought honoring the past legends who wore the uniform would be our way of contributing to history
On July 23, 1994, the Blackhawks added one of the NHL's toughest enforcers to their lineup: Bob «Probie» Probert.
Probert was a true enforcer who could also produce offensively.
He racked up 3,300 penalty minutes in his career, but also scored 384 points, with a career-high 62-point tally.
Yet beneath the fighter was a man caught in a violent system that celebrated toughness over anything else. After his career, Probert struggled with addiction, legal trouble, and the mental and physical toll of his role. After his death at 45, Boston University confirmed he had CTE.
Probert shared a lot of details about his condition in his autobiography called Tough Guy: My Life on the Edge. In the book's prologue, he recalled how he struggled with addictions even during his playing days:
"I could not have just one or two beers. If I did, I'd have 12. The thing you've got to remember is it's not like we had a normal nine-to-five job. We'd put in two hours at the rink, be done by noon, then go for lunch somewhere and have pops."
Bob Probert's legacy remains
In spite of what he went through, his legacy remains. Detroit Red Wings' legend and current GM Steve Yzerman recalled:
"All the greats, like Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, were there, and the first thing they wanted to do was meet Probie. I remember them coming over and asking me, 'Can you introduce me to the big fella?'"
While there's a sense of tragedy surrounding his life, we mustn't forget to celebrate what he did for the Blackhawks and the NHL. His tenacity and strength still inspire players to this day.
Previously on Hawks Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 23 | 538 ANSWERS Chicago Blackhawks sign NHL great enforcer to 3-year contract on this day in history Do you think the Chicago Blackhawks should add an enforcer to the team? | ||
| Yes | 437 | 81.2 % |
| No | 101 | 18.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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