Former Bruins Enforcer Breaks The Silence on His Toughest Opponent
Chris "Knuckles" Nilan is widely regarded as one of the best enforcers in NHL history.
Playing from 1980 to 1992 for the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers, Nilan earned his nickname with his fierce fighting skills. He still holds the record for the most penalty minutes by an American-born player.
Selected 231st overall in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft, Nilan proved to be an exceptional enforcer. He represented Canada in the 1987 Canada Cup and participated in the 1991 NHL All-Star Game.
Throughout his career, Nilan faced off against some of the toughest enforcers in the league.
In a Cameo video, he revealed Terry O'Reilly of the Boston Bruins as one of his toughest opponents. O'Reilly, known for his effectiveness as an enforcer, had his No. 24 jersey retired by the Bruins in 2002 after a successful career that included three Stanley Cup Finals appearances.
Nilan continuously improved his fighting skills, adapting and becoming a better fighter over time. His legacy as one of the NHL's greatest enforcers remains intact.
| POLL | ||
Is Chris Nilan a top 5 Bruins enforcer of all-time? | ||
| Yes | 1 | 16.7 % |
| No | 5 | 83.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
