Florida Panthers: Evolution of the enforcer role

When you dive onto the Google machine, and type the words “Florida Panthers enforcers”… names such as — Paul Laus, Peter Worrell, George Parros, Shawn Thornton, and now Micheal Haley pop onto your screen. However, the role of the enforcer has dramatically changed since the inception of the franchise.

Enforcers, especially back in the 1980’s and ’90’s would often be fan favorites for the local fan base. That statement was never more true when it came to Mr. Laus, and how the fans adored him. It’s hard to believe he’s 47-years-old now, many years into his retirement.

The Beamsville, Ontario product was claimed in the 1993 NHL expansion draft where he went onto set an NHL record with 39 fighting majors in 1996-97. Still a staple within the history of the organization, you’ll still spot a number three leaping Panthers logo jersey in rinks today.

The cruel irony of Laus story was what made him a viable player in the league as an enforcer, which unfortunately ended his career in 2002 when he shattered his hand in a fight.

It was truly a sad day for the organization and fan base alike when the last remaining original Panthers player, a hulking defenseman- who was a key cog in introducing them to the sport in a lot of cases, had to hang the skates up for good:

Unfortunately, enforcers are often mistakenly labeled as ” no talent hockey players” by followers of the NHL. Many fans might not be aware that Peter Worrell averaged a point-per-game as he led the

Hull Olympiques

to the

CHL Memorial Cup

in 1996-97.

I still remember to this very day the icy stare Worrell put on me prior to puck drop while I was sitting second row during a regular season game. You don’t forget something like that as a young fan. And- might I add, I was wearing a Panthers jersey! My mind wondered what that look of steely determination meant for his opponents that night.

Worrell’s career-best point total in the NHL would only be 10 pts in 2000-01 as pro coaches wanted him to play a more grinding, intimidating style of game.

The 6’7 Quebec native still makes his home in the Florida area coaching Florida Atlantic ACHA hockey team, among other previous coaching ventures in the local community. An enforcer who has always given back to the community, and continues to do so.

George Parros, the NHL’s current head of department of player safety, is now more concerned about curbing slashing and vulnerable hits to the head area versus who’s on the fight docket on any given night during his active playing days.

The Ivy leaguer who majored in Economics while at

Princeton

played for five NHL teams, including a short stint with the Panthers, was best known for his time with the

Anaheim Ducks

. And, this unfortunate incident that ultimately ended his career:

An impactful enforcer role had been missing in the Panthers lineup since the Worrell days… but Shawn Thornton brought it back! I understood as a fan that he didn’t have the same juice as he did in his

Boston Bruins

days.

Another former Stanley Cup winner, “Thorty” added: accountability, leadership, toughness along with formulating a winning culture into a group that desperately needed it. He was an ideal 12th to 13th forward who battled through many bumps and bruises where others around him struggled to do the same.

Some Panthers fans felt he needed to dress in fewer games, but you’ll never hear that comment from his former teammates.

Enforcers will likely never be able to shake the reputation of being: low IQ players who need to resort to brawling due to an inability to play the game at a high level. But, true lifers of the game know that enforcers are more than their title suggests.

Hey, sometimes an enforcer can score the game winning goal, along with being the first star of the game: