Is the age of the enforcer over?

[nate24]

A debate has broken out about enforcers in the rumours thread and it's quite interesting to see what people are thinking on the subject. I'd like to start the debate here for a wider audience.

Me personally, I think we are witnessing the end of the enforcer age. Rules are stifling them and they tend rack up so many minutes in the box that they can't protect the skilled guys effectively anyway.

In my opinion in the game as it is today you need two maybe three guys who will drop the gloves or play a physical game when the call comes. It's no longer a full time role.

I think a few guys like Salters would do. I don't mean in play style like him, just the stepping up part. That guy demolished Keefe! Côte was another example in my mind who could play and step up.

Anyway that's my two penneth on the debate. It will be interesting to see what you all think. I know a few years ago the overwhelming support would of been for an enforcer but now we've all seen the crack down has that changed?

[jdizpt8]

You can't have a guy who is just an out and out fighter, you have to have players in the salters, lepine, king mould, players who can play hockey first and fight second. Alex penner is prime example of what you shouldn't have on your team and salters is prime example of what you do need.

[Yotes]

The instigator rule pretty much did for the out and out tough guy. As said already, need to have more than one string to your bow these days.

[panthersnation]

no

[Toneys#24]

The perfect example is the grand slam team. That was the most skilful team we've seen in years but at the start of the season we got bullied out of nearly every game.

That changed the moment we brought Lepine back - who just gave teams a second thought at bullying us. He, to me, was the best intimidator ive seen. Not a dirty player and would never do it if it wasnt needed but was always there to step on the next shift and just stand over someone as if to say 'next time you want to try anything, try it with me first'.

Someone like that gave someone like Ling the freedom to play his game. We are long past the age of Penner, Cornish, Sharp or McMorrow in my opinion, but 'enforcers' are still a huge part of the EIHL game.