2011-12 Kimble Award: Most Exciting Fighter

[NJDevils17]

Nominees

Jay Rosehill - Toronto Maple Leafs
Though he didn't fight too often this season, especially early on under Ron Wilson's regime, Rosehill still managed to get into a lot of exciting bouts. The main highlight was his fight against Brian McGrattan, which was a toe to toe slugfest which saw McGrattan getting the win. Other highlights included Rosehill going toe to toe with Shawn Thornton, Kyle Clifford, and Krys Barch. He did take some of these as losses, but he certainly gets kudos for continuing to fight this entertaining style.

Mike Brown - Toronto Maple Leafs
Another Maple Leaf on this list, Mike Brown used to have a reputation for being more a boring fighter. That has been completely pushed away this season as he had a very entertaining card. He built a nice rivalry in the Battle of Ontario with Zenon Konopka, with their second bout being highly exciting. Also, Brown engaged in one of the contenders for fight of the year with Kris Newbury of the New York Rangers.

Cam Janssen - New Jersey Devils
A controversial addition to this list because some may not be a fan of his marathon bouts. However, many still find Janssen's fight entertaining. He started the season off with a traditional Janssen type of fight, a bout with Brian McGrattan lasting well over a minute and 30 seconds. Janssen followed up that with two toe to toe fights with Micheal Haley as well as slugfests against Krys Barch and Shawn Thornton. Those fights were good enough for even some of the Janssen naysayers to enjoy.

Brian McGrattan - Nashville Predators
Arguably the toughest fighter in hockey happened to also be one of the most exciting ones this year too. McGrattan started the season off with a marathon fight against Cam Janssen. He then established himself as a fan favorite by fighting Jay Rosehill in a terrific fight, then by pummeling Jared Boll in another entertaining fight. McGrattan finished off the year with another solid toe to toe fight with Ryan Reaves. As fight fans, you have to be happy that Brian McGrattan is back full time in the NHL and that he's fighting like this.


My Pick
For this year, my selection is Cam Janssen. I happen to be a fan of his marathon fights, just like I was a big fan of Darren Langdon's long fights. Marathon fights aside, Janssen really opened up this year when fighting guys more his size, such as Barch, Haley, and Thornton.


Past winners

2003-04: Darcy Hordichuk
2005-06: Brian McGrattan
2006-07: Derek Boogaard
2007-08: Riley Cote
2008-09: Colton Orr
2009-10: Rick Rypien
2010-11: Colton Orr

[DARCY T]

i've always liked brown's attitude and he became very entertaing too.many of his fight has been foty

[The DZA]

Pretty well all of Brown's fights were entertaining and its not a homer vote.

[Killah_punk]

Brian McGrattan had some good battles against Rosehill, Janssen, and Reaves.

[IhateLindros]

I don't see a more entertaining fighter in the NHL today than Cam Janssen

[Whaler Fan]

Milan Lucic

[Big_Fat_Dan]

I'm going for Cam this year, the man is a nut job, he will take on anyone, and normally does a entertaining job.

[Isles4life]

Put me in the camp that more often than not enjoys watching Cam Janssen's marathon bouts. He gave us some good long tilts this year, but as mentioned, also had a few that any fight fan has to enjoy, even if you don't always like the guy's style.

[ssully1618]

janssen because he is a madman and punches dont hurt him ever. hope everyone enjoyed mcgrattan because its probably his last season.

[Blues 34]

Jannsen I have no problem with his style, most years he will have at least one FOTY bout on his card

[straka91]

Had to go with bam bam, between his marathons with bigger guys and t2ts with guys his size cant see who else to go for. Mcgrattan was up there for me as well, always chucks them.

[lgbar75]

Not too many quickies for Janssen. When he gets involved it's always a marathon.

[bupz91]

Bam Bam Cam

[mikebflorida]

Have to say McGrattan as he is the champ and has the ability to do serious damage and his fights were exciting.

Janssen might be one of the most predictible fighters, take a few, take a few, wave the linesmen off, take a few, throw a few, lock out, throw a few, take a few, wave the linesmen off. Snore.

His fight with Haley was awesome though so he certainly has the ability to be exciting.

The others are aggressive and fun to watch, just not in the same way as McGrattan. Too bad Brian doesn't get to fight more often.

[hockey doc]

Originally Posted by Whaler Fan

Milan Lucic

That hump back whale is boring, as is spotpicker mcquaid, you can add thornton in there as well. McGratts in a landslide.