Power forward (ice hockey)
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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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- ^ a b c Allen, Kevin (June 9, 2005). "Hall of Fame-bound Bruin star Neely defined 'power forward'". USA Today. p. C6.
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- ^ 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.
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- ^ 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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- ^ 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.
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- ^ "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.
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- ^ "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".
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- ^ Yannis, Alex (October 10, 1996). "Whalers Finally Trade Shanahan for Coffey". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
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