An “End of an Era” for Enforcers?
After 16 seasons (2007-2026), Ryan Reeves has decided to call it a career. Ending his legendary run as the modern-day enforcer, becoming an obsolete position in the NHL.
Reavo was rough, rugged, and raw. A force with a demanding presence on the ice, hired for one thing, and one thing only. Protecting superstars. He shared the ice with the best of them. Reeves protected Vladimir Tarasanko, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Sidney Crosby, Macklin Celebrini and many more. Almost too many to keep track of.
Many players that bounce around the league don’t last long until they get sent down to the minors. Especially being drafted after the 1st Round… Mr. Reaves, the 156th overall pick of the 2005 Draft, not so much. He suited up for St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, New York, Minnesota, Toronto, and San Jose logging 962 games which included 66 goals, 165 fights, logging a total of 1,137 penalty minutes.
The “Reavo Protection Agency” wasn’t anything to play with. The man is 6’2” 225lbs of straight muscle with iron blocks for fists, he’ll steamroll anyone in his path and then look around with is chin up like “anybody can get it”. A one-of-a-kind fighter that the league will probably never see again.
Reaves couldn’t have ended his remarkable career as an enforcer in a better way, besides hoisting the Stanley Cup and reaching the 1,000 GP milestone. Being 4th line winger still in the game at the age of 39 to go out on his own terms is extremely rare in this league. At his position, he probably could’ve played for a couple more years, but he has nothing else to prove.
All of the best to one of the best fighters to ever play in “The Show”.
Ryan “Reavo” Reaves.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for The NSR Network
