Joe Kocur formed 1/2 of the legendary “Bruise Brothers” with enforcer Bob Probert, and during their heyday there was no more feared duo in all of the National Hockey League. Though they would both eventually leave the Detroit Red Wings, Kocur would find his way back to the Motor City to aid in two straight Stanley Cup wins.
Of course, and he always stood up for his teammates. We’ll throw it back to the 1998-99 season when the Red Wings hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena. Edmonton’s Kris King delivered a hard check on Kirk Maltby, sending him flying into the boards in an awkward fashion.
Kocur wasn’t amused and immediately took King to task:
One does not mess with one of Kocur’s teammates and get away with it!