Windsor, ON, Canada (AHN) – Legendary NHL enforcer Bob Probert, feared for his fists as with his stick in his 16-year NHL career, died Monday after suffering chest pains while boating with his family and in-laws. He was 45.
Probert, known in his prime as one-half of the “Bruise Brothers” with then Red Wings teammate Joe Kocur, collapsed while on a boat on Lake St. Clair near Windsor, Ont.
Legendary NHL Enforcer Bob Probert Dead At 45
According to his father-in-law, Dan Parkinson, in a press conference at Windsor Regional Hospital Monday night, Probert developed “severe chest pains” around 2 p.m. before collapsing to his death, the Windsor Star.com reported.
CPR was performed on Probert before he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Drafted in the third round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft by Detroit, Probert is best remembered as the fierce protector of Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman.
Probert is known for dropping the gloves with a fierce and menacing fighting style while a member of the Red Wings, whom he played with for nine seasons.
He later continued his role as enforcer with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Though not known for his scoring ability, Probert posted two 20-goal season in 1988, when he was named to his only All-Star.
The Windsor native finished the 1987-88 campaign with career highs in points (62), third in the team, and had 398 penalty minutes.
The Wings decided to cut ties with one of their most popular players in July of 1994 after numerous off-ice problems.
In 1989, he was arrested for cocaine possession while crossing the Detroit-Windsor border, resulting to a six-month federal prison sentence.
For the 1994-95 season, Probert was placed on inactive status after being involved in motorcycle accident. Tests revealed alcohol and cocaine in his system.
He later signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Blackhawks, but he did not play in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season due to a suspension for violating the NHL’s substance abuse policy
Probert returned for the 1995-96 campaign, his first season with the Hawks and the last time he would record over 40 points in a season.
He announced his retirement on Nov. 16, 2002.
For his career, he amassed 384 points (163 goals, 221 assists) in 935 career regular-season games with Detroit and Chicago. He registered a total 3,300 penalty minutes in his career, ranking sixth in NHL history.
Probert is survived by his wife, Dani, and their four children.
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