The Night Dean Evason and Dale Hunter Didn't Like Each Other Very Much

by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 8:28 PM EST

At around the 2:15 mark of the highly entertaining video above (h/t @Adam_KOL), Caps assistant coach (who is remaining Caps assistant coach) Dean Evason talks about his first NHL fight. Who was it?

"In Quebec, and I fought Dale Hunter three times in the game. And I believe that was my first regular season [fight]."

The indispensable HockeyFights.com corroborates that it was Evason's first... and second... and third fight. But what Evason doesn't tell us (besides the fact that it was New Year's Eve) is that those three fights all came in one period - at the 6:27, 11:51 and 17:37 marks of the middle frame. What that means (for the mathematically challenged) is that after serving their majors for the first fight, the two pugilists dropped the mitts a second time just 24 seconds after being released from the sin bin, then had at it again 46 seconds after doing their second five-minute stints in the box (though Hunter apparently didn't receive a fighting major for the third bout). The Globe and Mail the following day noted:

At times, the second 20 minutes appeared to be more of a wrestling match than a hockey game as Dean Evason and Dale Hunter squared off three times before they were both finally ejected at 17:37.

Happy New Year indeed, and after a night like that, perhaps it's no wonder Hunter has kept Evason around - any rookie who throws down with him three time in one period has to be aces in Dale Hunter's book.

Oh, and once happy days return to Caps land, someone has to ask these two about that night...

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I think I like this video more than I’ve liked any NHL fight in years.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Nov 30, 2011 8:36 PM EST reply actions

More than Kane/Cooke?

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 8:58 PM EST up reply actions

Probably not. And probably not more than Erskine/Boulton. There are a few great fights I’ve loved. But I think 98% is certainly within range.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Nov 30, 2011 9:20 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed.

I liked Erskine/Rupp, too.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

Hanrahan/Dunlop.

Gotta be in my top 5.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2Kwn9Ax83o&feature=related

DUE TO THE LENGTH OF NHL HOCKEY
SKATE ELECTRIC WILL NOT BE SEEN

by docciavelli on Nov 30, 2011 9:52 PM EST up reply actions

> Peat/Stock?

Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...

by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 30, 2011 9:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Epic. I will never forget where I was when I watched that fight.

Roman Hamrlik is so bad that I've forgotten how bad Jeff Schultz is.

by Alex Reed on Dec 1, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

This video is awesome! 3 straight fights is bad ass, getting ejected for it is honey badger bad ass. I suddenly feel more confident in our team.

by feeya7 on Nov 30, 2011 9:02 PM EST reply actions

FYI--the details:

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/66563

Three times in the same period? (2nd) Is that accurate? Wow. And Hunter wasn’t given 5 the first time, so it sounds like Dean jumped him.

DUE TO THE LENGTH OF NHL HOCKEY
SKATE ELECTRIC WILL NOT BE SEEN

by docciavelli on Nov 30, 2011 9:49 PM EST reply actions

It’s the third one Hunter didn’t get five for, if I’m not mistaken (at least that’s how I read it and how I wrote it in the post).

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:38 PM EST up reply actions

And Hunts fought Jim Johnson when the latter was on the Stars. So our head coach has traded fists with both of his assistants. Interesting.

by DonnieKnutts on Nov 30, 2011 10:01 PM EST reply actions

Here’s video of that fight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CnPxWNDGZk

Damn, Dale’s a badass mofo.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

I guess Dean and JJ know who’s “boss” eh?

by DonnieKnutts on Nov 30, 2011 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

FWIW, Whyno interviewed Turgeon. Apparently there’s no hard feelings. Worth a read.

by discuit on Nov 30, 2011 10:22 PM EST reply actions

Hmm, so McPhee and Dale Hunter never fought in the NHL, but brother Dave is on McPhee’s fight card. Hadn’t realized before that Steve Richmond and McPhee had fought in a game, too, although according to hockeyfights, Richmond didn’t receive a fighting major.

Such a happy front office/coaching staff :)

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 10:33 PM EST reply actions

It’s like a dysfunctional family.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 10:48 PM EST up reply actions

Still no “throwing down with the guy who became the best man at your wedding” dysfunction though.

You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."

by apk3000 on Dec 1, 2011 7:17 AM EST up reply actions

And just for kicks, here’s George McPhee throwing it down with Rick Tocchet, with a delightful cameo from a screaming Glen Hanlon.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 10:56 PM EST up reply actions

Whoops, here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKyJIsuQ_GU

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

Hanlon elevated and otherwise okay fight to true viewing pleasure.

Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$592.66!

by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

McPhee fought Tocchet more than once, was wondering where this was going, ha.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

wow i just felt into a YouTube vortex of crappy VCR-quality uploads of McPhee fights. GMGM was one tenacious dude.

by DonnieKnutts on Nov 30, 2011 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

Boudreau to the Ducks

I’m graduating from longtime lurker status to post the following:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=604070

Bruce is now leading a tougher grinding team than we’ve had here in Washington in a long time… I feel like a whole bunch of CI people are about to switch allegiances :-P

by lotharstar on Dec 1, 2011 3:32 AM EST reply actions

Good on you switching your status, but there is a fanshot on this (to the right on your page) and can be discussed in today’s Clips thread for reference.

"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg

Keep United in DC. A Fair Deal at RFK, and a Pathway to a Stadium for a team loyal to the city.

by Bald Pollack on Dec 1, 2011 7:00 AM EST up reply actions