A New Year’s resolution to play a clean, high-scoring style? That was never really Bob Probert’s reputation. Still, during the 1987-88 season, Probert was delivering offense at a remarkable pace. Skating alongside Steve Yzerman, Probert finished the year with 29 goals, 62 points, and an eye-popping 398 penalty minutes, a statistical combination rarely seen in NHL history.
On December 31, 1987, Probert’s scoring touch took center stage. The St. Louis Blues were in town to face the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, and Probert turned in the only hat trick of his NHL career, powering Detroit to a convincing 7-2 victory.
Bob Probert: Tough Guy
The gripping biography of Bob Probert — hockey’s most feared enforcer and his turbulent life.
Buy on AmazonProbert also set up a Steve Yzerman goal midway through the first period that put Detroit ahead 3-0. That tally would stand as the game-winner, capping a dominant opening stretch for the Red Wings on New Year’s Eve.
Despite the physical tone of the contest, Probert managed to stay out of the penalty box entirely, no small feat in a game that featured three fights involving Detroit teammates Lee Norwood, Doug Halward, and Darren Veitch. By night’s end, officials had handed out a total of 89 penalty minutes.
Probert was flawless offensively, scoring three goals on just three shots against Blues goaltender Rick Wamsley. Yzerman added a goal of his own on six shots while assisting on three others, finishing with four points. Normal service quickly resumed in Detroit’s next game, though, as Probert racked up 24 penalty minutes in a fight-filled outing against Winnipeg while Yzerman stole the spotlight with a natural hat trick.
About Bob Probert
Between 1985-86 and 2001-02, Bob Probert played 935 regular season and 81 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. The third round pick by the Red Wings at the 1983 NHL Entry Draft sits fifth all-time with 3,300 career penalty minutes.
Bob Probert: Tough Guy (Video)
The powerful documentary chronicling the life and career of Bob Probert.
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NHL Hockey Trivia: Bob Probert
Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia
1. Which NHL team drafted Bob Probert?
2. What combination best described Bob Probert’s most productive NHL season?
3. Which future Hall of Famer was most closely associated with Probert during his early years in Detroit?
4. Bob Probert led the NHL in penalty minutes during which season?
5. After leaving Detroit, Bob Probert spent the final seasons of his NHL career with which team?
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