NHL: Top 10 greatest grinders of all time

Grinders are probably one the most important players on any hockey team. Teams need that type of player who isn’t afraid to mix it up in order to win games.

Grinders might not be known for their big time offensive skill and point production but all the little things are very key and any team would kill to have a guy like that on their team.

As a grinder myself, I felt like I needed to show these guys some love so without further ado, here are the ten best grinders of all time.

No. 10: “The Grind Line”, Kris Draper, Daren McCarty and Kirk Malby

I had to include these guys in this list. This line was a big part of the Red Wings success in the 90’s and early 2000’s. When the opposing top line came on to the ice these guys would be sent out to shut them down.

No. 9: Claude Lemieux

Funny this is the player that comes in right after the guys in Detroit were just mentioned because of their fair share of meetings.

Lemieux had a hard-nosed style of play and brought it every night. He easily got underneath the other team's skin. He comes in at nine.

No. 8: Kevin Stevens

Stevens had a handful of years where he lit the lamp 30-plus times. It might be confusing to see him on this list.

Stevens was a big power forward who was good in both the offensive end and defensive end. He gets the eighth spot.

No. 7: Pat Verbeek

Four words, “Little Ball of Hate”.

Verbeek was given this nickname due to his hard-nosed playing style.

Verbeek tallied 1,062 points and won a Stanley Cup in his career as an ultimate grinder.

No. 6: Dave Bolland

Although his career was cut short due to injuries, when Bolland was in the league you didn't want to go up against him.

Bolland won two Stanley Cups with Chicago and played a key role on those teams, even scoring the series-clinching goal in 2013.

Bolland was named “Best Grinder” in 2012.

No. 5: Marty McSorley

Mcsorley was responsible for protecting Wayne Gretzky when he was with the Oilers.

Mcsorley was known for being a big physical player on the wing and had 3,381 career penalty minutes.

No. 4: Chris Neil

Chris Neil was an absolute bruiser on the ice. Neil was known for his physical style of play across 15 seasons in Ottawa.

He was one of those players you would hate to play against but would love to have on your team.

What an absolute pest this guy was and it led to his number 25 jersey number being retired by the Senators.

No. 3: Shawn Thornton

Shawn Thornton was a fourth-line grinder for the entirety of his 20-year career.

Thornton was a tough player who was known for dropping the mitts and lighting people up with big hits.

Not too many guys in the league can play the way this guy played and the teams he played for are lucky for that.

No. 2: Rick Tocchet

Tocchet started his career as a pure power forward but then developed into a skilled grinder as his career went on.

He was known as a fighter early on but eventually became an All-Star four times in his career.

Tocchet racked up 952 career points and won a Stanley Cup in 1992 with Pittsburgh.

Toc was truly one of the greatest grinders of all time.

No. 1: Patric Hornqvist

This pick for number one might be a bit biased because Horny was my favorite player in the league but I feel like he deserves this spot.

Hornqvist was the last selection in his entire draft class in 2005 and made a pretty darn good career out of it.

Horny was known for his intensity, feistiness and fearlessness when on the ice. He was a big net-front presence and was never afraid to ruffle some feathers.

Hornqvist played a big role in helping lead the Penguins to back to back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, scoring the game winner to clinch the cup in 2017.

Austin Moran is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acm6506@psu.edu.