Bob Probert won over the Motor City with his tough-as-nails attitude and his team-first approach to the game. Yet the demons he battled off the ice eventually forced him away from the Red Wings, then away from hockey all together.

 

Probert died Monday afternoon when he collapsed on his family’s boat at Lake St. Clair. Emergency crews were unable to save the former NHL player after his arrival to Windsor Regional Hospital.

According to the Canadian Press, Probert's funeral will be held on Friday morning at Families First Funeral Home in Windsor.
 

In a 16-year career with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, Probert racked up a lengthy fight card and 3,300 penalty minutes, which ranks fifth all-time. He also had a pair of 20-goal seasons for the Red Wings in 1987-98 and 1991-92. Probert retired in 2002 as a member of the Blackhawks.

The unfortunate end to Probert’s life reflects his hockey career, as fans are left wondering what could have been. The 45-year-old will always be known as an elite NHL enforcer; were it not for substance abuse, he could have been so much more.

 

"Bob was always there for his teammates and was one of the toughest men to ever play in the NHL,” Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch said in a statement on the Wings’ official website. "He also was one of the kindest, most colorful, and beloved players Detroit has ever known.”

Probert spent nine seasons with the Wings before the organization let him go. The Detroit Free Press reposted a Mitch Albom column from 1994 – a fascinating look into a strained relationship between team, player, and city because of his drug abuse.

 

The city of Detroit welcomed back fellow enforcer Darren McCarty, whose first stint with the Wings ended because of the same problems, with open arms in 2007-08. Probert was never offered a second chance. After nine seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Probert was done with hockey, and was not spotted regularly at Wings’ games like other former teammates.

 

One of those former teammates spoke glowingly of Probert on Monday. Former Red Wing Joe Kocur said the following in a statement: 

 

“This is a very sad day for Red Wings fans, as we have lost one of the toughest players, best power forwards and all-around great guys who ever wore the Winged Wheel. My favorite memory of Bob would be sitting down before a game, going over the opposing lineup and picking and choosing who would go (fight) first and if the goalie would be safe or not. It was great to be able to go out on the ice knowing that he had my back and I had his.”

 

The memory of Probert dropping the gloves at Joe Louis Arena will live on for Red Wings fans,  and the admiration of his teammates only adds to Probert's legend.

 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiMJdl7k9sU

 

Photo gallery: http://redwings.nhl.com/club/gallerylanding.htm?id=16156&navid=DL|DET|home

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