Grinder (ice hockey)

[2] The grinder is not in the spotlight as would be the offensively skilled scoring stars, but they are often fan favorites due to their work effort in games.

It is common belief in hockey that a good team needs a balance of scoring stars and grinders.

NHL Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Clarke of the 1970s and 80s Philadelphia Flyers was considered a grinder, but was also a highly productive offensive player.

[1] Indicative of the importance of the grinder is that Bobby Clarke and Mike Eruzione, both grinder-style players, played major roles in their respective countries' victories over the offensively-skilled Soviet Union national team.

In 2012, The Hockey News named Dave Bolland of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks as "Best Grinder".

Hockey player warms up prior to a game as he intensely looks at the camera
Dave Bolland , at the time playing for the Chicago Blackhawks , was named "Best Grinder" by The Hockey News in 2012.