Between 2003-04 and 2008-09, Souray scored 79 goals and 201 points, accumulated 489 PIMs, and dropped the gloves 16 times. In total, he scored 109 goals, 300 points, and dropped the gloves 50 times throughout his career. 2006-07 he scored a career-best 26 goals and 64 points with 135 PIMs, which included 3 fights.
Fighting in hockey has become a hot topic of conversation and debates around the hockey world in recent years, especially after the QMJHL banned fighting from their junior circuit. However, it's still an important part of the NHL and Souray is well aware of the highs-and-lows of dropping the gloves:
"The fans obviously love a good fight, but they also love a slapshot to the top corner on the power play against the Toronto Maple Leafs on a Saturday night."
While Souray understands the excitement behind a good fight, he also knows that scoring a goal has a lot more sway in a game, including a top corner slap shot against the Maple Leafs - oddly specific. As a member of the Montreal Canadiens for 6 years, as well as being an Edmonton Oiler for 3, he knows the media attention and how fans react to towards the Maple Leafs.
He scored 6 goals and 13 points in 36 career games against the Leafs, including 55 PIMs and 3 fights against Toronto throughout his career.
POLL | ||
AOUT 14 | 116 ANSWERS Ex -Canadiens, Oilers defenseman dunks on the Leafs when discussing fighting in hockey How do you feel about fighting in hockey? | ||
Love it | 79 | 68.1 % |
Don't like it | 21 | 18.1 % |
Indifferent | 16 | 13.8 % |
List of polls |