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He was a fighter, not a flashy scorer or speed skating magician. Yet, in his own right, Bob Probert was a legend in his time with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. He was a terror on the ice and a fan favourite off the ice. In the mold of Dave Schultz, Dave “Tiger” Williams and Dave Semenko before him, he helped craft a special group of collectors that picked up everything of those players who dropped the gloves.

In his day, Probert created enough space around him to score some goals. Then again, he was often close to puck magician Steve Yzerman on the ice, the teammate and captain Probert was sworn to protect. If anyone got close to Yzerman in the late 1980s or early 1990s, Probert was there to straighten them out. During Yzerman’s first 50-goal season in 1987-88, Probert accumulated a league-high 398 penalty minutes (not to mention 29 regular-season goals plus an assist in the NHL All-Star Game). The Red Wings won the Division title and were a force in the playoffs, but eventually came apart in the Campbell Conference final against the Edmonton Oilers.

For his part, Probert played in more than 1,000 NHL games including the playoffs. He played for the Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, but of course was best known for his time with the Red Wings where he won three division titles. He made it as far as the Conference final twice in the playoffs, but never won an NHL championship. He did win playoff championships with the Ontario League’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (major junior in 1984-85) and American League’s Adirondack Red Wings (minor pro in 1985-86).

What fans remember most, though, were the fights. He was perhaps the most terrifying fighter of his era and would take on anyone and everyone that got in his way.

With Probert’s passing, we look back at the five coolest fight-themed insert names featuring Probert and his fellow fighters.

5. Squaring Off (2002-03 Fleer Throwbacks)
4. Tough Customers (2001-02 Be A Player Update)
3. Famous Scraps (2002-03 Signature Series) or Famous Battles (2005-06 In The Game Tough Customers)
2. Famous Fight Straps (2008-09 SP Game-Used)
1. Drop the Gloves (2002-03 Fleer Throwbacks)

MORE ON BOB PROBERT
- Did you know there are 313 items on the Bob Probert Collector’s Index. His rookie card was issued in 1988-89 O-Pee-Chee.
- In 2007, a 1986-87 Bob Probert game-worn jersey sold for $1,815 in a Classic Collectibles auction

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