The First Test: Bob Probert vs. Todd Ewen
A fighter’s success is measured by wins and losses. A big victory can vault a fighter to the top of the Heavyweight heap while a devastating loss can have career altering effects. Time and time again we have come across a fighter who was never the same after a major defeat or were forever knocked from their mantle by one. Jim Kyte was never the same after being knocked out by Joey Kocur. Prior to that Kyte was a true contender, afterwards he was never the same fighter. He never rose to the same heights again, never had the same success. That loss shattered him. Larry Playfair seemed to run out of steam after being beaten in one sided fashion by 15-1 underdog, Brian MacLellan. Playfair was an elite fighter at that point with face breaking power. After that defeat Playfair seemed to fade from the inner circle of Heavyweight elites until he retired during the 89-90 season. These fights became pivotal events, essentially pinpointing the moment they began to decline. For some fighters it may take a series of losses, some big or some small to indicate they are losing something on their fastball. Sometimes all it takes is one.
I’ve always felt that it’s how you respond to a major defeat that can truly define you. Being able to withstand a major defeat and come back from it is really the stuff that champions are made of. I was impressed with Clark Gillies summoning up the courage to take on Behn Wilson again after being soundly defeated in their first fight. It took Gillies a few years-and some prodding from teammate Bobby Nystrom-to atone for arguably his worst loss as a pro. Gillies made it count in a fight that is still talked about today. A young Brad May TKO’d veteran Jay Wells who came back later in the same game to gain a measure of revenge in the rematch. Dave Brown coming back vs. Kimble and McKay to avenge big losses… There was just something about a tough defeat that would make these guys go that extra mile, push themselves that much harder to avenge it. A rare trait indeed.
When someone asks me what Bob Probert’s most important fights were, I tell them it was his trilogy of fights against Todd Ewen. People will look at me aghast in horror, cars will come screeching to a halt and the record will stop but I found more to admire in Bob Probert from the way he responded to such a resounding defeat than I did for some of his biggest “victories”. I mean it’s not often someone gets flat out KO’d with a single punch and returns to seek revenge in the same game. It was Probert’s response to such a devastating defeat that would set the tone for his entire career. For while Probert would follow a path to Heavyweight stardom, it was not without its share of twists and turns and challenges that would fell a normal fighter. It was how Probert reacted to these trials that helped make him a living legend and the fighter that most young toughs in the 90’s dreamed about fighting as kids while they watched their Bruise brothers tapes.
While Probert might have put himself on the map as a fighter in his rookie season, he suffered some growing pains in his second year. Probert’s sophomore campaign started on a sour note on October 11 at Joe Louis Arena, with a quick one sided loss at the hands of veteran Blackhawks winger, Curt Fraser. It was such a quick bout you almost felt like Probie was trying to draw a penalty but it was a defeat, nonetheless. Probert seemed to brush that loss aside and went on a roll, first on November 21 by defeating Scott Stevens, who was still in his Capitals days and quite capable with the fists. Less than a week later, on November 26, he took on Toronto’s Bob McGill at the Joe. The fight was the rematch for Probert’s now infamous headbutt on McGill during a bench clearing brawl the year before. Probert would then go a month before tangling with young Maple Leafs star Wendel Clark on December 27 at Maple Leafs Gardens. The fight was a great one and a Fight of the Year candidate for the 86-87 season. Clark landed a few savage blows early on but Probert battled back, perhaps not enough to break even with Clark but it was a fantastic fight. Later in that same game, if one recalls, Probert was suckered a few times by young Maple Leafs ruffian, Kevin Maguire. Probert wasn’t interested then but you can bet he took the number. A few days later, Probert decisioned Calgary’s technical wiz,Tim Hunter. Probert was beginning to pick up momentum.
On January 11, Probert was in Chicago Stadium where he would take on old friend Gary Nylund. These two had a vicious, dirty fight the year before which degenerated into hair pulling and headbutting. This time they would fight during a line brawl with the linesmen busy elsewhere. They were left all alone. Nylund was in control during the early stages. He was a strong fighter and did a lot of wrestling. As the fight wore on and chaos reigned around them, Probert pulled his right arm free. He was able to mount an offensive on a suddenly gassed Nylund. Nylund held on hoping to wear Probert down but he was so fatigued by then he committed a cardinal fighting sin – he put his head down. Probert was too good a fighter not to see the opening and seized upon it, launching a fight ending uppercut that dazed and dropped the Blackhawks defenseman. The fight was a big one for the young Probert as word spread of his victories. He followed up that big victory with a real gem against Toronto’s Kevin Maguire. Probert didn’t forget Maguire’s actions a few weeks before and settled things with a good dust up. This was a free swinging bout that saw some great exchanges. Probert landed some solid right hands and buckled the ever game Maguire twice during the fight and skated away with a big victory. The young contender seemed to be on cruise control as he rolled into a fateful January 24 game at St. Louis Arena.
Just like every other team in the Norris Division in the mid-80’s, the St. Louis Blues were looking to toughen up. The Red Wings had Probert and Kocur, the Blackhawks had Behn Wilson and Curt Fraser, the North Stars still had an ageing Willi Plett and a young Bob Rouse, and the Maple Leafs had young guns like Wendel Clark and Kevin Maguire as well as solid veteran Bob McGill. The Blues were rolling with guys like Jim Pavese, Rob Ramage, Herb Raglan, Charlie Bourgois and Gino Cavallini. Not exactly a murderers row of enforcers right there. Pavese was a big rugged d-man who’d fight on occasion. Rob Ramage was a master of the greco-roman arts. Raglan was undersized with pop but no real contender and Bourgois and Cavaillini were just big wrestlers. So, during the 86-87 season, the Blues called up Todd “The Animal” Ewen from their IHL affiliate in Peoria. Ewen was a big tough kid who made a name for himself in juniors with the New Westminster Bruins. He was extremely strong and he punched like a mule kick, but he was untested and unproven at the NHL level.
Originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers, Ewen briefly spent some time with the Nova Scotia Oilers of the AHL before being recalled to New West. But it was the Bruins that Todd and his brother Dean began carving out reputations for themselves. The old barns of the Western Hockey League were fertile breeding grounds for young up and coming gunslingers and the Ewen brothers were looking to prove themselves. Both approached fighting with a zeal unmatched which made them fan favorites in New Westminster and perfect disciples of New West Head Coach, Ernie “Punch” Mclean. Older brother Todd played his entire junior career in New Westminster, while younger brother Dean spent time with both New Westminster and Spokane. Ewen was now making the jump to the NHL and he was looking to make a splash early on in hopes that he could stick around for a while.
Ewen’s first NHL fight was a December tune up bout with Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Marc Bergevin in St. Louis. Ewen tore it into Bergevin with a bevy of rights that had the Hawks blueliner swamped. To his credit he stayed on his feet but it was a good showing for the young Ewen. A fight like that could help build confidence in a young scrapper and it would serve as the lead up to a late January Home and Home series against the Detroit Red Wings and their surging young tough guy, Bob Probert. While Probert wasn’t the great ‘champ’ he would become, he still carried a big rep as a young tough guy on the rise. He was a good player as well which made him double trouble for teams in the Norris Division and one that had to be countered. In the first game of the Home and Home series with the Wings Ewen left his calling card by roughing up Detroit Defenseman, Dave Lewis in the third period. Don’t think that didn’t go unnoticed by Detroit’s Bruise Brothers, BobProbert and Joe Kocur.
I imagine it had to be tough for a young kid like Ewen coming straight into the NHL and having to prove himself against a young lion like Bob Probert. For those at home keeping score, Ewen had only just finished out his last year of juniors the season before and had only played 16 games in Peoria that year prior to getting the call. He was twenty years old. The nerves and anxiety he must have felt, the butterflies, all the thoughts that must’ve been going through his head and, oh, yeah, guess what? You have to fight Bob Probert now. For a young gun like Ewen he must have been feeling the pressure. Having never fought a significant NHL fighter before to taking on the best of the young NHL crop. At the same time, in the back of his head he had to have known that a major loss or bad showing could be enough to effectively end his NHL career right then and there.
The following night, the Red Wings invaded St. Louis Arena. Rob Ramage scored almost immediately and the Red Wings were trying to play catch up all night. Early in the first period, young St. Louis Blues tough guy Todd Ewen did some shoving with Wings veteran Harold Snepsts and you knew it wouldn’t be long before Probert came calling. Everything seemed to be going St. Louis’ way and they were up 2-0 just past the halfway mark of the first period when the time came.
They met up behind the play.
They dropped the gloves by the near boards and locked on right away. Probert let loose a flurry of right hands before Ewen reared back and smashed Probert with an anvil of a right hand. It caught Probert flush on the jaw, jolting his head back and dropping him instantly. Probert crumpled to the ice as Ewen tried to land an extra punch or two before the linesmen pried him away. Ewen skated to the box flush with victory while Probert lay on the ice in a daze. He remained there for several moments while teammates attended to him. Eventually he got to his feet and skated to the penalty box under his own power.
In the past such a devastating loss was often enough to ruin a fighter. In earlier times, a simple bad loss was enough to knock you down a peg or two but a one punch KO? It was historically tough to come back from something like that. Just ask John Hilworth. The big Red Wings tough guy was just getting his feet wet in the NHL when he was knocked unconscious by a heat seeking missile of a right hand that was attached to the arm of one Behn Wilson. That ugly KO was made even more grotesque by the sight of Big Behn dribbling Hilworth’s unconscious head off the ice numerous times with excessive blows. Hilworth was done after that. Now some seven seasons later another Red Wings tough guy was getting laid out with one punch. History has this strange way of repeating itself. But that’s as far as the similarities between Hilworth and Probert went. While Hilworth was never heard from again, Probert had much more to say. I can only imagine a young, hungry Bob Probert, dwelling on that loss in between periods and simply knowing-absolutely KNOWING-he had to get Ewen back.
He wasted little time.
While some might’ve contemplated exacting revenge the next game or some time down the road, Probert sought a more direct approach and simply went after Ewen in the same game. In the Second period after the Wings had battled back to tie the game, Probert and Ewen went at it again. This time at center ice. They came together with Ewen getting the upper hand early on. He had the right hand loose and Probert in a spin. Eventually Probert began to right the ship and take control of the fight. Probert’s stamina was on display while Ewen slowed down. It seemed like Probert was poised to finish the fight decisively but slipped while rearing back to throw a left hand. The linesmen were quick to jump in and end the fracas. As a fight fan I thought the fight ended prematurely but felt Probert did enough to earn a decision.Neither fighter was any worse for wear when the battle ended and you could see a rivalry was born that night. Ewen, the rookie, was still full of fight, while Probert the young Heavyweight star was ready for another round. Both combatants were given matching misconducts to go along with their fighting majors and, while leaving the ice, Probert was favoring his right hand. It had been cut in the fight and that essentially was the end of the night for him and, as it would turn out, for Ewen as well.
News of the fights spread throughout the league and Ewen’s reputation grew considerably. These two were destined to meet again in the crazy old Chuck Norris Division and people began to circle March 7 on their calendars -the next game between the two. Since it was over a month away both got in a tune up fight to stay sharp for the looming showdown. Ewen fought Edmonton Oilers big, rough and tumble defenseman Jeff Beukeboom in a mediocre bout. Not a major fight and nothing to really hang your hat on for either guy. Probert wound up battling veteran Minnesota North Stars power forward, Willi Plett, during a brawl filled affair at Joe Louis Arena. In the fight, Probert made good use of his left which helped secure him the victory. Plett was in his next to last season in the NHL but it was still great to see the wily ol’ vet take on the best young Heavyweight. Respect.
On March 7, it was on.
Once again this game took place in St. Louis and the crowd rose to their feet in anticipation of the main event as soon as the two stepped on the ice. The game wasn’t even 3 minutes old when the two dropped the gloves for the third installment of their growing feud. They both squared off awkwardly before coming to grips. Probert went in low on Ewen like he was about to tackle him at the waist. They then grappled in close with Ewen throwing some punches over the top to the back of Probert’s helmet. They were both locked up in close circling in place as they fought to get better hand position. At one point, Probert’s helmet came off but the chin strap was caught and it was left dangling while the two did what can only be described as a sort of doubles pirouette. At one point, as they struggled in close you can see Probert literally snap his head in one direction to jettison the helmet. They then both seemed to pull back at once as if by mutual consent and began trading right hands. After a good exchange they held each other at arm’s length and traded intermittent long range right hands. Probert then shifted over to his left and began coming at Ewen from the port side. He didn’t land much but the flurry gave Ewen a different look before Probert switched back to his right. As you watch this fight you can see Probert slowly but surely find the range on Ewen who at this point had slowed down considerably.
By the end of the fight, Ewen had taken to holding on exclusively while Probert was relentlessly pursuing victory. The linesmen were unsure when to jump in to end the scrap as Probert refused to let up. Ewen’s great strength served him well here. He was able to keep Probert tied up just enough to keep most of the heaviest blows from finding their mark. Probert’s reach was too great and he had him at arm’s length. Ewen could do nothing to close the gap and could only muster a quick pot shot or two in the bouts dying moments. When the fight was broken up Probert skated directly to the box, all business with a spring in his step like he could go another few rounds. Ewen was fatigued, but wide eyed, the adrenalin from the bout still amping through his system. Probert had earned a decision but Ewen had hung tough with the Detroit Bad Boy.
Mickey Redmond, who, along with Dave Strader, formed Detroit’s famed broadcast duo, gave the blow by blow account for this and many of Probert’s classic bouts. As the fight raged between Probert and Ewen, Redmond referred to it excitedly as “…an establishment of authority in the game right now,.” Mickey was fully aware of how tough a fighter Ewen was and like many was impressed by how quickly he dispatched Probert in Round 1. Redmond had seen basically every Probert fight to that point and never saw him handled in that fashion. So the Probert-Ewen fights, in his mind, represented true Heavyweight encounters with alpha male status at stake.
For Probert, the Ewen fights represented Probert’s first major test as a fighter and enforcer. You had to be impressed with the way Probert handled such a major defeat. He responded immediately and even fought Ewen again the next time the two teams met a month later. While the rematch fights weren’t nearly as decisive as Ewen’s great victory in Round 1, Probert nevertheless showed true character in picking himself up off the ice and going after Ewen again and again. I love the big fights and the memorable victories and they are so great for many different reasons but you truly learn a lot about a fighter by the way he handles defeat. Probert was already displaying the characteristics of a true great and he was only in his second season.
Todd Ewen’s career was made when he landed that Million Dollar right hand. He immediately became a player in the Heavyweight ranks and gave the St. Louis Blues an effective counter to one of the Divisions best young fighters. Divisional rivalries were heating up and teams were carrying one or two tough guys. An arms race had begun and Ewen would be the Blues standard bearer. The subsequent rematch bouts with Probert were solid showings even if he didn’t “win”. Sometimes it’s all in the optics and Ewen held his own with a young Probert on the rise in rounds two and three. As Ewen’s career progressed, he would battle Probert a number of times and was always able to hold his own with the enforcer great, even if he didn’t outright defeat him again. Probert was always the great measuring stick when it came to fighting and enforcing during his time and Ewen had proven he was more than capable.
Probert would continue to pay his dues in 86-87. He was still developing as a fighter and with his victories came new notoriety attracting the attention of young tough guys just like Todd Ewen. Probert would go on to fight Michel Petit of the Vancouver Canucks in a fight that Probert dominated despite being stunned by a Petit right hand. A week later he scored a knock down victory over Brian Curran of the New York Islanders. He would then run into another young outlaw looking to carve out a reputation for himself. Craig Berube had a buzzsaw of a right hand and he used it to catch Probert a few times in a great slugfest at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Probert had his nose broken in the fight and once again he was on the march seeking revenge. On April Fools Day, Probert and Berube would battle it out twice at JLA. The first bout wasn’t much of a fight but round two that night saw Berube once again get the right hand pumping and overwhelm a frustrated Probert.
In the playoffs that year Probert fought old foe Curt Fraser who had served Probie with a licking right out of the gate that season. He and Probert engaged in a long fight that featured a lot of wrestling. Fraser was known for going for the knockout punch right away and if that didn’t work, he’d go right inside and wrestle. Fraser was fighting that night with broken fingers and held on and survived. The next round against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Probert battled Al Iafrate and Chris Kotsopoulos both of which were nothing more than Maple Leaf cannon fodder. He would then finish out the year with a nice victory over a tough Kevin McClelland of the Edmonton Oilers in the Campbell Conference Finals. McLelland as an Oiler was an underrated southpaw.
Ewen played sparingly but would go on to fight Minnesota North Stars Defenseman, Bob Rouse and New York Ranger blueliner, Pat Price to close out the regular season. They were mediocre scraps, nothing major. He then battled Toronto’s Brad Smith in the opening round of the playoffs that year. In their first go, Ewen pounded Smith for an easy win. In their second altercation, Smith looked like he was trying to draw a penalty as Ewen pounded him. So it wasn’t an especially busy rookie season for Ewen but it was certainly noteworthy. He finished with a handful of fights and a colossal reputation. The Blues liked what they saw in Ewen. He was a strong kid with a scary mean streak and KO power. He would go on to be the Blues enforcer for three seasons before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens after the start of the 88-89 season. After four seasons with the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge, Ewen was traded to the expansion Anaheim Mighty Ducks where he would play three years before retiring as a member of the San Jose Sharks at the end of the 96-97 season. At his best, Ewen was a Top-10 Heavyweight who, in addition to Bob Probert, could claim victories over Jay Miller, Kevin McClelland, Tony Twist, Wayne Van Dorp, and Rob Ray. He was never a true title threat but his power gave him a puncher’s chance vs anyone and he was able to hang tough in the NHL for eleven seasons.
Probert would learn from his up and down sophomore effort and would put everything together in 87-88 where he would hit his stride. He would become an NHL all star and Heavyweight champ all at once and he would go on to have epic encounters and bitter Heavyweight feuds. He and Ewen would go on to fight numerous times over the course of their careers. While they were solid battles, none of them seemed to match the intensity and fury of the original trilogy in 86-87. In those fights it seemed like everything was on the line, careers and reputations were at stake… their later bouts featured experienced fighters who approached the scraps with a cool professionalism all borne out of a mutual respect.
Probert would go on to become Heavyweight champ and a legend in his own time and you can’t tell that story without Todd Ewen.