Tough Guy: The Bob Probert Story

By: Jamie Steinberg

Bob Probert played hockey hard and lived hard. After seventeen years in the NHL as the toughest enforcer, he had become addicted to drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, on July 5, 2010 Probert lost his life after collapsing from a heart attack while on a boat on Lake St. Clair. He was only forty-five years old! In Tough Guy: The Bob Probert Story, filmmaker Geordie Day (co-director of Goalie) explores the highs and lows of the life a man who lived and played rough.

The life of a hockey player is rough. When you’re the NHL’s toughest enforcer, though, your life is even rougher. Robert “Bob” Probert was considered the “heavyweight champ” of the league as he ended his career in fifth place of all-time penalty minutes. Plus, in an average year he managed forty bare-knuckled hockey fights! In 1985 he began his career in playing for the Detroit Red Wings as a forward, where he saw it his place to protect his teammates – especially team captain Steve Yzerman. Because of this, Probert found his place on the team alongside teammate Joey Kocur as a goon where he ended up leading the league in penalty minutes. The two eventually would be affectionately referred to as the “Bruise Brothers.”

His on-ice antics eventually led to off-ice bad behavior. He frequently found himself under arrest and also attempted rehab on several occasions. Unfortunately, neither of these would deter Probert from his habits, which included chain smoking and even found him involved with nurses at his rehab facilities. When asked about his behavior, Probert explained, “I just got a little addicted to the fun.”

Tough Guy features appearances and insight by Probert, his wife Dani and many of his teammates from his time playing for Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. In fact, the film is based on the book that director Day’s mother wrote on the life of Probert and Dani Probert serves as EP.

Tough Guy: The Bob Probert Story is an intense look at the life of one of the NHL’s baddest of boys. It shares an incredible peek into the highs and lows of one of hockey’s fiercest fighters. If you’re a diehard hockey fan, you’re sure to be in awe of this dark and raw tribute to the truest of tough guys.

*On Sunday April 9, 2017, Probert’s family spread his ashes in the Red Wings penalty box at the Joe Louis Arena’s final game.*