The Opening Faceoff: Lowering the boom

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
I was right all along,
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
You come tagging along,
Exhibit A,
On a tray,
What you say,
Ends up thrown in your face,
Exhibit B,
What you see,
Well that's me,
I'll put you back in your place
Yeah I've done it before,
And I can do it some more,
So what you waiting for?
Yeah!
I was right all along!
You know I've done it before,
And I can do it some more,
I've got my eye on the score,
I'm gonna cut through the floor,
It's too late,
It's too soon,
Or is it...
Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick...Boom!
Tick, Tick, Boom, The Hives

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CTN has seen a few All-Star Games in his day, hitting the majority of the games contested between his first All-Star appearance at the 1994 All-Star Game in New York City and the just concluded 2008 All-Star Game in Atlanta.

As a result, CTN has many fond All-Star memories from the nine All-Star excursions currently on the resume. Yet, CTN cannot remember a better player introduction ceremony than the one orchestrated in Atlanta.

The live music, coming from a stage set up on the ice, made the introductions seem more alive than usual. The fact that the music was coming from a straight-ahead rock-and-roll band like The Hives made it perfect. The riffs and driving backbeat during an instrumental break in their hit song Tick, Tick, Boom provided the perfect backdrop for the game’s greatest players to glide onto the ice during their introduction.

And, hearing Tick, Tick, Boom live for the first time also got CTN thinking about body checking. It wasn’t as big a leap as it sounds. After all, the full-frontal aural assault is the perfect soundtrack for one of those Best Hits compilations that have become staples of Jumbotron in-game programming.

So, there CTN was in the press box, high above the Philips Arena ice surface, listening to the hypnotic background beat being laid down by The Hives and thinking about the best hitters the NHL has on offer today and deciding it would be a perfect topic to lead of this week’s offering of Crashing the Net.

CTN can’t think of many more productive ways to spend a day.

Listing names furiously on the back of the press notes, CTN came up with the 20 players CTN most likes to watch practice the art of hitting. There are different elements to hitting – technique, ferocity, effectiveness – so CTN’s list is composed of different types of players, not just the board-rattlers that jump to mind.

CTN is sure there are other players outside of the 20 listed below that could be considered elite bodycheckers, but this is CTN’s list. But, being as open-minded as CTN is, CTN would love to hear from you about some of your favorite hitters. Drop CTN a line with your list and reasons why to [email protected]. We’ll include the best replies in next week’s Penalty Box

Opening Faceoff

Without further ado, here is the CTN Top 20 Hitters, in alphabetical order:

Avery

Sean Avery, New York Rangers -- He’s not big at 5-foot-10, but he plays much bigger than his listed height. He can simply change games with his physical play.

Rob Blake, Los Angeles -- Watching him rub out on-rushing forwards at the defensive blue line is a thing of beauty. It never gets old.

Dustin Brown, Los Angeles -- If you have a pulse, Dustin Brown is going to hit you. If you get up from said hit, Brownie will hit you again. He only has one setting – all-ahead full.

Zdeno Chara, Boston -- Just the size differential makes every hit a potential highlight. Plus, he has amazing balance and, unlike many big men, is rarely left in a compromising or unsteady position after delivering a hit.

David Clarkson, New Jersey -- Kind of reminds CTN of a young Randy McKay at the beginning of his “Crash Line” tenure. Never a bad thing.

Erik Cole, Carolina -- Catastrophic damage to his own body hasn’t dissuaded him from playing the body at every turn. That kind of courage must be acknowledged and admired.

Garnett Exelby, Atlanta -- One of the best young hitters in the game. Opponents know when they have played the Atlanta Thrashers.

Mike Fisher's ability to hit opposing defensemen is key to Ottawa’s transition game. Watch Mike Fisher show his checking power

Mike Fisher, Ottawa -- He had a coming out party in last year’s playoffs, showcasing his speed and forechecking ability. His ability to pressure the puck and hit opposing D men is one of the triggers to Ottawa’s transition game.

Trent Hunter, New York Islanders -- Aside from all else, the purpose of checking is to separate a player from possession of the puck, preferably gaining possession of said puck yourself in the process. Nobody does that better than Mr. Hunter.

Jack Johnson, Los Angeles -- He hasn’t hit as often as CTN hoped, but with this young man, it is not about quantity, but rather quality. How hard does he hit? Go review a tape of his play in the 2006 World Junior Championships.

Mike Komisarek, Montreal -- The definition of a true hockey warrior. He’ll sacrifice his body each shift for the good of the team. What more could you ask for from a player?

Vinny Lecavalier, Tampa Bay -- He’s not known for his hitting ability and he’s not encouraged to play a physical game. But, when Vinny gets a burr in his britches, opponents might want to run for cover. His play in the 2005 Final was a study in controlled fury.

Brenden Morrow, Dallas -- Another player that doesn’t deliver the highlight-reel hit all that often, but if you watch on a nightly basis you know that he delivers an effective hit at least once a period.

Chris Neil, Ottawa -- Pure, straight-ahead power is the theme here. In fact, he has even toned down his act some since he has developed his scoring touch. Now, he picks targets of opportunity. But, when motivated, he is still capable of plastering an opponent against the Plexiglas.

Dion Phaneuf, Calgary -- He has been compared to Scott Stevens, the most fearsome hitter CTN has ever seen. Does CTN need to provide more justification. CTN thinks not.

Chris Pronger, Anaheim -- His hit totals are lower than you would think. But, don’t worry, Pronger isn’t losing his edge. Rather, players have learned to leave him be and not wake a sleeping bear. Nobody in the League hits harder.

Smith

Jason Smith, Philadelphia -- Another guy that doesn’t have to slam people around much anymore. He has made his bones and earned his reputation as one of the game’s most fearsome hitters. But, when called upon he can still channel that aggression that has defined his career.

Raffi Torres, Edmonton -- Injured right now, Torres often looks like a hyperactive kid on the ice. He can’t slow down and his limbs are constantly churning – sometimes in four different directions, it seems. And, he is loathe to pass up a target of opportunity when it comes to initiating contact.

Anton Volchenkov, Ottawa -- Another old-school warrior, Volchenkov offers up his body without considering the consequences. He’ll block shots, take a hit, deliver a hit, wade into a scrum. It just doesn’t matter to Volchenkov is the sacrifice results in an advantage for his team. You gotta respect that.

Shea Weber, Nashville -- An interesting addition to the Skills competition would be the hardest-hit competition, where players hit a tackling dummy that somehow measures the force delivered through the hit. CTN thinks that Weber -- and Phaneuf -- would be standing when all was said and done.

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