Dennis Polonich

Standing only five feet, six inches, and while playing for the Flin Flon Bombers of the Western Canadian Hockey League, Polonich attracted attention of scouts by being a pest, antagonizing opposing players while scoring occasional goals. During the 1972–73 season Polonich was known for his relentless trash-talking, and racked up 222 penalty minutes along with 83 points. Polonich was drafted 118th by the Detroit Red Wings in 1973. However, the Wings wanted to see if Polonich could be as effective in a higher-level league, and sent him play a season with the London Lions in Britain. He impressed and was brought back for the 1974–75 season. Polonich signed his first professional contract with a $7,500 signing bonus and salary of $55,000 if he made the Detroit Red Wings, or $15,500 if he played in the minors.[2]

In the 1974–75 season, Polonich joined the Virginia Wings of the American Hockey League (AHL). He led the Wings in penalty minutes, and his 34 points helped them reach the playoffs, where he was the team's leading scorer in their short playoff appearance. Towards the end of the regular season, Polonich joined the Red Wings for his first four NHL games, recording no points or penalty minutes. After a quick stint with the Kalamazoo Wings of the International Hockey League (IHL), Polonich became a full-time Red Wing in the 1975–76 NHL season. The Red Wings were retooling, adding toughness and grit to their roster after a few disappointing seasons and Polonich fit the bill. Although small, Polonich brought an instant force to the team. Polonich set a club record on March 24, 1976 by sitting out eight penalties – five minors, a major and a misconduct. Polonich became the first rookie to be penalized more than 300 minutes in one season.[3]

"If I had stayed out of the box a little more, I might have scored 20 or 25 goals, you have to have a mighty long stick to score from the penalty box."

In the 1976–77 NHL season Polonich had a short tenure as captain of the Detroit Red Wings while Danny Grant was injured. He finished second in team scoring with 46 points and led the team (second in the league behind Tiger Williams) in penalty minutes with 274. He again led the team in penalty minutes the following season.

On October 25, 1978, Polonich got under the skin of the Colorado Rockies' Wilf Paiement. In what has been termed as the worst-ever case of brutality in the NHL, Paiement smashed the diminutive Polonich across the face with his stick, leaving Polonich with a concussion, severe facial lacerations, and a broken nose requiring reconstructive surgery. Paiement argued that Polonich had intentionally struck him with his stick in the follow-through of a slap shot.[4] Wayne County Prosecutor's Office investigated the incident and decided not to prosecute Paiement.[5] Polonich missed about 20 games due to the incident.[4]

In 1982, Polonich filed a civil suit against Paiement in U.S. Federal Court before Judge Horace Weldon Gilmore[6].[1] Prior to proceeding to court a Wayne County mediation panel recommended a settlement of $85,000, which Polonich accepted, however the Colorado Rockies' insurance company countered with $50,000 which Polonich refused.[4] Judge Gilmore did not allow evidence to be heard about Polonich's penalty-filled career and physical style of play.[6] Ultimately Polonich was awarded $500,000 for "pain and suffering" and $350,000 in punitive damages which would be paid by Paiement and not be covered by the Colorado Rockies' insurance.[4]

Polonich suffered from breathing problems for the remainder of his career. The Detroit Red Wings general ganager Ted Lindsay testified at the trial that Paiement hit Polonich with a baseball-type swing.[1] Wilf Paiement was fined $500 (the maximum permitted under NHL rules) and suspended by the NHL for 15 games,[1] the longest NHL suspension since the beginning of the "Original Six" era.

Polonich's career would taper off following the incident, playing just 109 more NHL games with 4 goals during that time, compared to the 55 goals in his previous 277 NHL games.[2]

After five and a half seasons with the Red Wings, Polonich was sent down to the AHL after the 1980–81 season and, besides 11 games in 1982, remained there. He helped the Adirondack Red Wings reach the playoffs twice, winning the Calder Cup in 1981, in the following four years before jumping to the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the IHL. Polonich retired in 1987 one year after winning the Turner Cup.