Bob Probert is remembered as one of the NHL’s greatest enforcers of all time. Best known for his years with the Detroit Red Wings, many have hailed Probert as the league’s top fighter in history. He retired with an impressive record: 935 games played, 163 goals, 384 points—and an astounding 3,300 penalty minutes.
Robert Alan Probert was born on June 5, 1965, in Windsor, Ontario, and showed exceptional talent for hockey from a young age. This was evident during his time with the Brantford Alexanders and later with the Hamilton Steelhawks and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. Interestingly, the Greyhounds were also where a young Wayne Gretzky played his final year before turning professional.
Probert was selected in the third round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit also drafted future legends Joey Kocur and Steve Yzerman.
After spending his initial professional years in the AHL, Probert had a breakout season in 1985–86, finishing third on the Red Wings in penalty minutes. By the 1987–88 season, he had cemented his reputation as the league’s top enforcer, recording 398 penalty minutes—one of the highest single-season totals in NHL history.
But Probert wasn’t just a fighter; he was a skilled player. That same season, he tallied 62 points, earning a spot in the NHL All-Star Game—the only one of his career. Alongside teammate Joey Kocur, he formed the infamous "Bruise Brothers" duo, striking fear into opponents.
On July 23, 1994, Probert signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. In his first season, he recorded over 40 points. His scoring and penalty minutes gradually declined thereafter. Despite this, Probert remained a formidable enforcer until his final NHL game in 2002.
Over his illustrious 16-year career, Probert played in 935 games, scored 163 goals, and accumulated 3,300 penalty minutes—a staggering statistic that solidifies his status as one of the league’s premier enforcers.
Probert’s reputation as one of the NHL’s most fearsome enforcers remains unmatched. His physical confrontations with rival players are legendary. Bouts against Tie Domi, Marty McSorley, and Craig Coxe are etched in hockey history. Though an exact count is challenging, it’s estimated that Probert participated in 285 fights during his professional career. Averaging one fight every four games.
In 1989, while playing for the Detroit Red Wings, Probert was arrested for cocaine possession while crossing the U.S. border. Customs agents found 14 grams of cocaine in his underpants, leading to months in prison.
In 1994, Probert crashed his motorcycle into a car. Tests revealed his blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit. Traces of cocaine were also found in his system. Following his retirement, Probert faced multiple legal issues, including an accusation of assaulting a police officer in 2005.
Despite his long struggle with alcohol and drug addiction, Probert remained clean and sober for the final four years of his life.
On July 5, 2010, Bob Probert was boating with family members on Lake St. Clair when he began experiencing severe chest pain. He collapsed at 2:00 p.m. local time. Despite life-saving efforts and being rushed to Windsor Regional Hospital’s Metropolitan Campus, Probert was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
Probert’s funeral was held four days later in Windsor, Ontario, attended by several former players, including Tie Domi, Chris Nilan, Doug Gilmour, Joey Kocur, Darren McCarty, and Steve Yzerman. Yzerman also delivered the eulogy.
Probert’s brain was donated to the Sports Legacy Institute for research on concussions and sports-related head injuries. On April 9, 2017, during the final game at Joe Louis Arena, Probert’s family spread his ashes in the penalty box—a fitting tribute to the enforcer who made that space his own.
The NHL has seen its fair share of enforcers throughout the years, and many of them wouldn’t have a place in the league today, where both physicality and skill are required to make a difference. ...
This says everything about enforcers' respect
Penalty box attendant thought it was over
This was almost too cruel
He made them dive them with just one simple little move
Was taught two important rules
This is old-school hockey at its finest
Everyone in shocked when they found out the truth
You did not want to be on Probert's bad side
Such a beautiful moment