Gallery II- He's no Goon, That's our Enforcer!
Fighting is never going to leave North American hockey, it is an integral although increasingly small part of the game . Fights are what brings the crowd to its feet, the fans in the door and separates the men from the boys. Well, that's the surface of the story, the reality is the role of fighting and the enforcer is much deeper than that. The occasional dance may start spontaneously. More often though they are a calculated release of tension for the team. The message to let the other team know that they can't mess with a goalie, a beloved 5'8" captain, or our we will take care of you. Time was when every team had an enforcer. A big guy who stood for every line change casting a long shadow across the ice protecting the little guys, allowing the skill players the "space' they need on the ice to dazzle.
In this gallery
Myles Stolesz in action at Traverse City Rookie Camp 2006
Look at the woman in the front row, oh the shock, oh the horror! This shot was taken at the 07'Colonial Cup finals between the then United Hockey League K-Zoo K-Wings and Rockford IceHogs. This game in K-Zoo was one of the best hockey games I've ever seen played. You mention it to anyone who was there and just watch their face light up. 
K-Zoo fans cheer on the fight in front of them relishing every moment of the action.
Rockford Nettie Colutier and K-Zoo's Nie yapped at each other for a full 10 minutes before being lead off the ice.
As the Hogs and K-Wings brawl on the ice the kids in the front row go wild!
While the Refs straighten out the mess on the ice the crowd gets in on the act. Remind anyone of the crowd fight in "Slap Shot"?
The UHL Rockford IceHogs had a classic enforcer Robin Big Snake this is from one of his classic bouts in 3/07
Passing of the torch, Boris Valabik and Denis Bonvie exchange words during the traditional handshake after the 08' Calder Cup Finals.
The first meeting of the two teams at the Allstate and all ready the guys can't play nice..
Brett Sterling's break a way is stopped at the goal mouth with a catch from behind by a Wild player. No, there was no penalty shot.
A "calmer" Wilson after the fight heading to the sin bin.
Wolves Spencer Machacek shows an IceHog the view of the first row. 
Jordan Lavallee makes an impression on a newly minted Blackhawk prospect.
Ryan Kiap gets into his first fight as a Wolf. Master Mike Hoffman looks on with approval.
One of the many fights that cold March weekend in 08' when many of us thought the P-Bruins would meet the Wolves for the Cakder Cup, we were wrong!
Mike Hoffman in action against Adam Keefe, nice head of hair Adam.
A match up of classic enforcers if there ever was one, Sean McMorrow and Mike Hoffman. McMorrow is now keeping order with the Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland. Good Luck and fair play to him!
Boris dukes it out with a member of the Flames.
This was a fight that the Ref and linesmen did not break up on time. Nolan Yonkman tattooed Jordan Lavallee without mercy. There has been a lack of warm fuzzy feelings between these teams since.
Artus Kulda in a rare fight.
Scott Lehman in a stick fight against Milwaukee, think he said the uniform was ugly?
Oyatrick in action December 07'
Nathan always has a smile for the camera..
Joey Crabb does a topsy turvy
Andre Deveaux came to the aid of Kevin Doell durning a tough moment.
On the night of the first meeting of these two teams Oystrick and Fraiser put on quite a show. Oystrick came out the winner by several points! 
Linesman Al Steinsland starts to break up the fight as Fraiser hits the ice.
Nathan lets the crowd know just how he feels after the fight!
Never the shrinking violet crows after a victory during the Calder Cup playoffs.
These kids play like they mean it! 
Chicago Steele -v-Blackhawks UHL Hockey, it's great hockey ! Taken at a November 09' game.
Just look at the grin on the face of the player fighting Andre Deveaux, you have to love this shot!
Just look at that devilish grin.
If you are looking to break the hockey starvation Traverce City is the place to be in September. Teams gather and it is four days of great hockey, can you handle 12 games in 4 days? 
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Myles Stolesz
Myles Stolesz in action at Traverse City Rookie Camp 2006
Many of the photos in this gallery are of classic fights, great enforcers and pugilists of the American Hockey League. They are highly skilled athletes doing what they do best. It takes an amazing amount of strength to box on blades and still make contact. Approve or disapprove of fighting in hockey, you have to admire the courage and training it takes to make an enforcer.
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