Power forward (ice hockey) Ice hockey forward known for their skill and physicality
Alexander Ovechkin , considered by many as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history, is often described as a "power forward".
In ice hockey , power forward (PWF) is a loosely applied characterization of a forward who is big and strong, equally capable of playing physically or scoring goals and would most likely have high totals in both points and penalties.[ 1] It is usually used in reference to a forward who is physically large, with the toughness to dig the puck out of the corners, possesses offensive instincts, has mobility, puck-handling skills,[ 2] [ 3] may be difficult to knock off the puck or to push away from the front of the goal[ 4] and willingly engage in fights when he feels it is required.[ 5] Possessing both physical size and offensive ability, power forwards are also often referred to as the 'complete' hockey player.[ 6] [ 7]
Historically, power forward was not originally a hockey term, finding comparatively recent origins from basketball.[ 8] [ 9] Harry Sinden , former president of the Boston Bruins , claims power forward first became part of hockey terminology because of the style of play of Cam Neely , an NHL player from 1983 to 1996, who could play ruggedly and also score goals.[ 7] [ 10]
Punch Broadbent was one of the first players who pioneered the style before the NHL was founded in 1917,[ 11] while Charlie Conacher , Phil Esposito , Gordie Howe , Maurice Richard and Bert Olmstead are likewise considered quintessential examples of power forwards in the decades before the term entered hockey vernacular.[ 12] [ 13] [ 14] [ 15]
NHL players described as power forwards
† Hockey Hall of Fame inductee
References
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^ Nichols, Chris (Sep 9, 2009). "Discounted Price" . Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved Jan 23, 2010 .
^ a b LaPointe, Joe (April 27, 2004). "Hockey; Calgary's Captain Courageous" . New York Times . Retrieved Jan 23, 2010 .
^ Greene, Colleen (Dec 26, 2006). "Blackhawks AHL prospects update: Troy Brouwer" . Hockeysfuture.com. Retrieved Jan 23, 2010 .
^ a b c Allen, Kevin (June 9, 2005). "Hall of Fame-bound Bruin star Neely defined 'power forward' ". USA Today . p. C6.
^ "definition of power forward" . Random House. Retrieved Jan 23, 2010 .
^ Montgomery, Ted (Dec 3, 2008). "Some hockey lingo deserves a spot in the penalty box" . USA Today. Retrieved Jan 24, 2010 .
^ a b c d e f g h i "All-time power forwards" . The Hockey News . November 1, 2010. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015 .
^ a b "Broadbent, Punch -- Biography -- Honoured Player -- Legends of Hockey" . Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ a b Cole, Cam (June 12, 2016). "Gordie Howe impacted the game of hockey like no other" . Toronto Sun . Retrieved May 2, 2020 .
^ a b c d e f Melrose, Barry (October 16, 2011). "Who are the greatest power forwards of all time?" . NHL.com. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ a b Ken Campbell ranks the Top 100 NHL players of all time
^ a b "Bert Olmstead - Bio, pictures, stats and more" . Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ Julian McKenzie (January 14, 2021). " 'Josh Anderson is exactly the 'power horse' Canadiens have needed for ages" . Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved October 4, 2021 .
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^ "Stars' fortunes in series could hinge on Benn's success" . 26 April 2019.
^ "Best of Everything: Power Forward" . 22 December 2003.
^ "Los Angeles Kings' Dustin Brown Enjoying Career Renaissance" . The Hockey Writers. October 20, 2017.
^ a b c d e f g h i j Muir, Allan (March 6, 2013). "Top 10 NHL Power Forwards Of All Time" . Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ "Wendel Clark: The Code a 'blurred line' in hockey" .
^ "Devils F Ryane Clowe's playing career is over due to concussions" . 11 September 2015.
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^ "Shayne Corson - Bio, pictures, stats and more | Historical Website of the Montreal Canadiens" .
^ "Flyers A-Z: Dineen, Kevin" . Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
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^ "Heritage Night: Celebrating Flyers Hall of Famers" .
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^ "Forsberg, Peter -- Biography -- Honoured Player -- Legends of Hockey" . Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ "NHL | Johan Franzen lifts Red Wings 4-3 over Avs" . 25 April 2008.
^ "Canadiens name Gerard Gallant new assistant coach" . The Globe and Mail . 15 June 2012.
^ Wigge, Larry (May 3, 2009). "Getzlaf gifted at finding second gear" . NHL.com. Retrieved Jan 23, 2010 .
^ LaPointe, Joe (June 20, 2002). "Hockey;Gillies Heads the List Into the Hall of Fame" . New York Times . Retrieved Jan 23, 2010 .
^ Mallozzi, Vincent M. (22 November 1997). "HOCKEY; Guerin and Devils Finally Agree to a Deal" . The New York Times .
^ "Hartnell: Big hair, big play" .
^ "Report: Red Wings' Holmstrom set to retire" . Sportsnet.ca. January 8, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ "Blue Jackets agree to terms with forward Nathan Horton on a seven-year contract" .
^ "Flyers A-Z: Knuble, Mike" . Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ "Ilya Kovalchuk passes up chance at NHL history with early retirement" . 12 July 2013.
^ "New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider is a Rare Scorer" . Blue Line Station. December 9, 2016.
^ "Gabriel Landeskog Needs to Bring Back the Physicality" . Fansided. December 10, 2018.
^ "John LeClair: A Prototypical Power Forward" . The Hockey Writers. July 5, 2020.
^ "Anders Lee vs The Power Forward Decline" . Fansided. December 10, 2020.
^ Dryden, Steve (November 13, 2014). "The cases for Eric Lindros and Don Baizley in the Hall of Fame" . TSN.ca . Retrieved March 11, 2015 .
^ Ken Campbell. "One-on-One with Boston Bruins' Power Forward Milan Lucic" . Hockey News. Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2011-06-28 .
^ "Evgeni Malkin: 800 Games Later" . The Hockey Writers. November 15, 2018.
^ "Ryan Malone has his eye on the NHL—or the Olympics" . 11 September 2017.
^ "Patrick Maroon emerging as top power forward" . Edmonton Sun. January 9, 2017.
^ Canfora, Jason La (2001-05-28). "Bourque Shoots For Final Goal" . The Washington Post . Retrieved 2022-06-11 .
^ "Flyers A-Z: Mellanby, Scott" . Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ Journal Wire Services (May 15, 1990). "Bruins Hoping for Revenge against Oilers". The Milwaukee Journal . p. c3.
^ "Allan Muir: Stars a work in progress" . 22 April 2008.
^ "Rick Nash gives first hint at retirement" . 29 June 2018.
^ "James Neal of Predators has 'extra motivation' against Penguins" .
^ a b Looking back at five Canucks players whose departures hurt the most
^ Scianitti, Matthew (8 February 2012). "Owen Nolan announces retirement after 18-year NHL career" . National Post .
^ "Roberto Luongo 'fine' after being steamrolled by Ovechkin" . 4 January 2015.
^ "Florida Panthers' rally falls short as misery in Washington continues | The Miami Herald" . Miami Herald . Archived from the original on 2015-01-05.
^ "Edmonton Oilers forward Dustin Penner ready to build on 32-goal NHL season" .
^ "Once a rugged power forward, Willi Plett still making living with his hands" .
^ "Ponikarovsky a Leaf surrounded by the Maple Leaf" .
^ Yannis, Alex (October 10, 1996). "Whalers Finally Trade Shanahan for Coffey" . The New York Times . Retrieved March 16, 2017 .
^ "Maurice Richard: 100 Greatest NHL Players" . NHL.com. Retrieved January 1, 2017 .
^ "Nick Ritchie is the Boston Bruins Not So Secret Weapon" . Last Word on Sports. February 10, 2021.
^ "Roberts Putting Neck on the Line\" .
^ "50 Forgotten Stories: 'Super Swede' " . 6 January 2017.
^ "Former Red Wing Brendan Shanahan doesn't get into Hall of Fame; Adam Oates among four chosen" . 26 June 2012.
^ "Flyers Sign Simmonds to Six-Year Extension" .
^ "Los Angeles Kings acquire power forward Ryan Smyth from Avalanche" . Canadian Press . NHL.com . July 4, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2015 .
^ McMillan, Tom (Dec 25, 1991). "Money in the Bank". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . p. D1.
^ Johnston, Mike (November 12, 2012). "HHOF: 12 interesting facts about Mats Sundin" . Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ "Brady Tkachuk signs seven-year extension with Ottawa Senators" . Sportsnet. October 14, 2021.
^ "Blake Wheeler reflects on 500 NHL games" . Winnipeg Sun. January 18, 2015.
^ "Tom Wilson is redefining physical play in the NHL — one hit at a time" .
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