Add Feedback | Send this Article | Published 2/14/03

Graphic By: Andrew "Shaggy" Kinback

The following are some players and teams you might want to show some love to. If not, step into the crease and let's see how long you last! These are the most brutal and terrifying players of the NHL this season. Valentine's Day? To hell with that, it's Halloween everyday for these guys! They make the Oakland Raiders look like a bunch of sissies. Oh wait a minute, Tampa Bay already did that.

JODY SHELLEY: This left wing for the Columbus Blue Jackets is a complete madman. From Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Shelley leads the NHL in fights with a total of 20 this season. That's a lot of anger and penalty minutes. His last fight Shelley was against Reid Simpson of the Nashville Predators on Feb. 8. Shelley dominated with a few good rights.

PETER WORRELL: Canada must be trying to go after the World Heavyweight Championship of Boxing rather than Lord Stanley's Cup. Worrell, the Florida Panther's left-winger from Pierrefonds, Quebec, has 17 fights this season so far. This powerhouse is a bit sloppy, though. Just ask Wade Belak from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the last guy Worrell fought. On Feb. 5 Worrell asked Belak to dance but since both of their left arms got caught up in each other's jerseys, few good punches were landed. In the end Worrell threw a punch and missed; both players tumbled to the ice. On the way down, Belak got Worrell in an arm bar.

JESSE BOULERICE: It's the Hurricane's season this year as long as they keep this right-winger on their roster. From Plattsburgh, N.Y., Boulerice has the honorable 3rd place for the NHL's "Guy Who Uses His Fists More Than His Stick" award with a smashing 15 fights this season. Temper, temper. Cupid better shoot this guy or there will be trouble. Ask our lucky friend Wade Belak from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who managed to get away from another scrap with his face intact. On Jan. 29 Belak and Boulerice decided to tango for a relatively long bout. It ended when Belak hit Boulerice, which caused Boulerice to slip. This gave the referees the hole they needed to end this contest. Belak lives to fight another day.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS vs. NEW YORK RANGERS: The boys from New York are proud to come and heat up the D.C. ice with as much hatred and scorn that they can muster. This rivalry has been growing stronger with each game. The last time these teams met there were five fights and 89 penalty minutes for the Rangers. Last year the Capitals blamed the Rangers for unnecessary heavy hitting that landed the Washington star Peter Bondra on injury for a little bit. Since then a vile black blood has come between these teams. However, the Capitals tend to edge out the Rangers most of the time with a 2-1-1 record.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: The Blue Jackets are one of the newer expansion teams in the NHL. They are like a baby needing nourishment and love from the NHL fans before they go out into the great big open world of playoff hockey. Though they have been gaining that love slowly, like a baby, they can at times throw one hell of a temper tantrum. Columbus has had a total of 45 fights so far. The Phoenix Coyotes are tailing the Blue Jackets with 41 fights. Coaches are constantly telling their players, "Keep out of the penalty box!" Watch out for this team if you find yourself playing a street hockey game with them. It could get rough.