Is it mere coincidence that after Rob Scuderi’s fine, for his low hit on the Jason Chimera, that Drew Doughty executed two perfect hip checks in the next two games? He had one against San Jose and an even better one last night against Vancouver. A couple days ago, Terry Murray — former NHL defenseman — was asked about hipchecks, and whether they’re still effective…
MURRAY: “I think it’s a very effective tactic. I think it is a hit that was prevalent in the game in the 60s and 70s, maybe even the 80s. I had Scott Stevens, as an 18-year-old, coming into the National Hockey League, and that was the play of the day for him, in his career. There’s a very fine line, as we know, as to getting too low, and how to effectively use that kind of a hit. I think, with the checking we have in our game today, the attitude of everybody tracking back hard to home plate, and you’ve got five guys on the hunt, pressuring players from behind, that’s a hit that’s just there. It’s a good hit, it’s a clean hit and, I think, as we go forward with the style of play we’re seeing, we might see more of that coming back to our games.”
Murray was then asked why there seem to be fewer hipchecks in the game today…
MURRAY: “Timing is everything. I remember Don Cherry saying, about goaltenders using the poke check, `If you miss the poke check, you know where the faceoff is going to be.’ It’s kind of the same thing with the hip check. Timing is everything. You have to just execute it properly. The referees are going to watch it closely, and you could end up with a minor penalty.”
The one he threw last night was a thing of beauty and when done properly it can be devastating. I have been a fan of the hipcheck since watching Jay Wells do it time and time again as a kid and I am glad to see Doughty add it to his already amazing list of skills.
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Doughty’s from last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nHZZXdga94
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Can someone post Doughtys hip check from San Jose as well?? Thanks!
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It may have been there a while already but I just noticed the new picture Rich, looks good. Nice job with Jim and Bob also. You are starting to look pretty natural in front of the camera. How were the nerves on your first intermission in front of the camera with the guys?
Now back to the topic… I hate to bring up his name but I have always loved the hipcheck and the devastation that Blake used to bring with it. Good to see its not a lost art
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Dig the pic Rich!
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As much as I think the guy is a tool. . .but my favorite check of all time was Rob Blakes hip-check on Andrei Kovalenko years back. Awesome.
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Doughty continues to impress me and makes me wonder what he can’t do. The sky is literally the limit for this kid. Not much to say other than that!
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Gilles Marrotte (aka Captain Crunch) had a pretty decent hip check as well.
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Blake’s checks were great, but not really classic hip checks (see Doughty and Scuds). Someone else on here very accurately called Blake’s checks “Ass Slams”. But on the topic, the classic hip check is even better when done in open ice, as opposed to up against the boards.
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Man has “Rich” gone corporate! Who the hell is that and what have you done with Rich Hammond!
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Blake checks with his butt/back because of his shoulder. He hurt his shoulder badly 3 times checking open ice, so he changed his style to hit with his bum first.
I may not like the guy, but I can’t blame him for that either. Nothing illegal about it.
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The best hip check I ever saw was Booooooooooo on Pavol Demitra.
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As I mentioned on a previous Scuderi post, back in the 70s, the Kings had a defenseman, Neil Komadowski, who delivered wicked open ice hip checks.
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Don’t forget JP Kelly, who once checked Gordie Howe over the boards.
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off topic but I’m watching the monarchs game Moller just scored on a penalty shot to take 2 1 lead with about a min to go
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as for old time Kings, it’s all about Brian Glennie, when talking about the most ferocious hip checks of that era.
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It seems to me Brownie’s deliveried some pretty good hip checks, oh, and a lot of other hit too.
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Mr. Cherry and three minutes worth of hip checks incl. some pretty good landings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2WHmijaPRw&feature=related
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After watching the video that Copper posted, I find nothing wrong with Scuderi’s hit. Some of the hits in that video look a lot worse than Scud’s.
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