Former Red Wings tough guy Bob Probert passes

by Casey Richey on Jul 5, 2010 5:27 PM CDT in News

Former Detroit Red Wing Bob Probert has passed away today at the age of 45. Probert played for Detroit from1985 to 1994 and was an integral part of the team as the enforcer during his time in a Red Wings sweater.

He holds the franchise record for penalty minutes and along with Joey Kocur was part of one of the most feared fighting duos in the NHL. Bob Probert's vicious right left its mark on the faces of his opponents and made players think twice about doing anything again. Just as good as he was at dishing out the punishment, he could handle it as well--remaining standing after punches that would have put other players on their backs, gazing up at the rafters of Joe Louis Arena.

Probert's career year in terms of production was 1987-1988. He scored 29 goals and 33 assists with a career single season high 398 penalty minutes. He racked up 3,300 penalty minutes in his NHL career which is 5th on the all-time list.

I'm not going to pretend for one second that I remember the glory days of Probert in Detroit because I don't. But I can recognize and appreciate the significance he had to the team during his time in Detroit. He was one of the best in the league at what he did and it provided a level of grit and intimidation that was needed on a team that was starting to develop its young players. Probert was the epitome of the "tough guy" during the 1980s-1990s and as judge, jury, and executioner, you had better hope you did nothing that could be construed as a crime in his eyes.

If you wanted a guy to protect your young star (Steve Yzerman) then Bob Probert was the best in the business. He will be missed by Detroit fans and will remain a Hockeytown legend, despite his early passing.

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what a beast.

we need another probert… what the eff happened to this game?

by mikerlz on Jul 5, 2010 6:14 PM CDT reply actions

Two words:

Gary EFFING Buttman. Ok, maybe 3 words, but you know what I mean

by redwingfan4life on Jul 5, 2010 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions

No kidding.

Watching that reel makes me pine for old time hockey.

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by john.kmiecik on Jul 5, 2010 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions

How tragic...

Probie was basically got me n2 watching & playing Hockey, down n Ltown. had his ‘knockout champ/ shirt & the infamous ’Bruise Bros.’ Bobby & Joey Kocur, what a pair those guys were, huh? Back in Stevie Y’s day, Rick Zombo, Kris King, Gerard Gallant. if they weren’t gonna win the game, they’d come @ U with some PAIN! Now that’s what I’m talkin about, that was hockey, not this penalty-4-brushin up on a guy..anyways. You’ll be missed here Probie, RIP. It’s a shame it all finally caught up 2 him. Good vidz btw, but I gotta say I didn’t see him vs Dave Brown or Mart McSorley, those were really epic battles 4 sho…

by LTownDown on Jul 6, 2010 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Without Probert, no way Yzerman has the career he had, not with all the other notable enforcers.

by Elfuego51 on Jul 5, 2010 6:37 PM CDT reply actions

Probert / Clark

This is what I remember of Probert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-KfQKvxzpw

I wish we knew more about how he died, whether his substance abuse issues had anything to do with it, but maybe it’s none of our business anyway.

If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing. - Anatole France

by SharksPhan on Jul 5, 2010 6:45 PM CDT reply actions

unfortunately it probably did

When a person abuses his body the way Probert did, it takes a toll on the heart. Sadly even if the person stays clean and healthy afterwards, there is lasting damage. Poor man.

There is one very sad family tonight with a hole where their dad and husband used to be. :(

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!

by Baroque on Jul 5, 2010 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Give blood, fight Probie!

May he RIP

In life, a man is either the hammer or the anvil. Ndamukong Suh is both

by JazzyBBP on Jul 5, 2010 6:52 PM CDT reply actions

I remember the last few years of Probert. He was still a beast even then. He, Kocur, and McCarty lengthened Yzerman’s and Federov’s careers substantially.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Jul 5, 2010 10:47 PM CDT reply actions

I remember Probert from his wings days. As a Leafs fan I looked forward to those Norris division battles more than anything. Probert was always my fav non-Leaf. The man demanded respect and you had to give it. He always earned it. The Clark/Probert battles were legendary. The Probert Crowder battles were legendary in that Probert almost killed the man. The Probert-Domi fights were legendary because somehow Domi’s head didn’t explode from all the bombs Probert was dropping on his skull. Where are you ever going to find a guy to give you 29 goals and 398 pim’s. That is incredible. I feel your pain today Wings fans. And if as a Wings fan you don’t feel pain you need to go on youtube and watch some clips. This was the toughest man that ever laced em’ up for you. R.I.P. Bob.

October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin

by Chuck Diesel on Jul 6, 2010 6:28 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

The Domi battles with Probert are legendary because Domi is one of the few people who could ever compare to Probert, though I daresay Domi was a bit more of a dirty player than Probert was.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Jul 6, 2010 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Paying my respects to a badass hockey player. His fights with some of the toughest dudes out there were legend. He’ll be missed.

by BAFGA on Jul 6, 2010 7:06 AM CDT reply actions

After watching some of those fights, the fight strap owes its existence to Probert.

by BAFGA on Jul 6, 2010 7:07 AM CDT up reply actions

RIP PROBERT

by bond021 on Jul 6, 2010 1:34 PM CDT reply actions

RIP

What made him so scary was his demeanor on the ice, he rarely showed emotion, his look was the same if he fought or scored a goal, he was like a machine that had no fear of anything and that transpired with his look.

by eppy on Jul 15, 2010 9:44 PM CDT reply actions