Career

Known for his physical play, Kocur was one of the most penalized players in NHL history, amassing a career total of 2519 penalty minutes in stints with the Detroit Red Wings, the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks. Kocur officially retired at the end of the 1998-1999 season. He served as a video coach to Scotty Bowman from the 2001 season until Bowman's retirement following the 2002 season. Under head coach Dave Lewis, Kocur served as an associate coach along with Barry Smith; he was not asked to return after the hiring of coach Mike Babcock.

Kocur was best known for his devastating right-hand punch; he so frequently hit players with his right hand, often landing blows on their helmets or teeth, his right hand was often in poor condition.

In an interview, Donald Brashear described how Kocur cracked his helmet with his punches; though his helmet absorbed most of the blow, he still felt serious pain in his gums even on the other side of his face, leaving him unable to eat for a day or so. Kocur's punches often seriously injured players, such as Brad Dalgarno of the New York Islanders, whose orbital bone, cheek bone, and jaw were fractured by Kocur.

Kocur left the NHL following the 1996 season and was playing in the International Hockey League when the Red Wings brought him back during the 1996-97 season after captain Steve Yzerman suggested him to head coach Scotty Bowman. Although he didn't fight as much as in his younger days, Kocur brought an element of toughness to the Wings that had been lost with the departures of Probert and Stu Grimson. Kocur scored goals in the 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup finals series, helping the Wings win the Stanley Cup both times.

Post hockey career

He lives in Michigan with his wife Kristen, son Liam, and daughter Kendall. He is president of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association and is active in its efforts to raise money for children's charities in Metro Detroit. In 2010, he created Kocur Enterprises and is a manufacturer's representative of specialty products serving commercial, industrial and municipal markets in several states. In 2012 he started his own charity called "The Joe Kocur Foundation for Children". The foundation holds an annual charity softball game in Highland Township Michigan every August.

In media

Along with former teammate Bob Probert, Kocur is featured in a book entitled Bruise Brothers by Bob Duff .

Kocur makes occasional cameo appearances playing adult league hockey in Waterford, Michigan. On December 31, 2013, Kocur appeared in the second game of the NHL Alumni Showdown at Comerica Park in Detroit, part of the Hockeytown Winter Festival leading up to the 2014 NHL Winter Classic. Kocur, who wore the number 26 sweater during his playing days, honored his late Bruise Brother, Bob Probert, by wearing Probert's number 24 sweater.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1982-83	Saskatoon Blades	WHL		62	23	17	40	289		6	2	3	5	25
1983-84	Saskatoon Blades	WHL		69	40	41	81	258		—	—	—	—	—
1983-84	Adirondack Red Wings	AHL		—	—	—	—	—		5	0	0	0	28
1984-85	Adirondack Red Wings	AHL		47	12	7	19	171		—	—	—	—	—
1984-85	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		17	1	0	1	64		3	1	0	1	5
1985-86	Adirondack Red Wings	AHL		9	6	2	8	34		—	—	—	—	—
1985-86	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		59	9	6	15	377		—	—	—	—	—
1986-87	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		77	9	9	18	276		16	2	3	5	71
1987-88	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		64	7	7	14	263		10	0	1	1	13
1988-89	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		60	9	9	18	213		3	0	1	1	6
1989-90	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		71	16	20	36	268		—	—	—	—	—
1990-91	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		52	5	4	9	253		—	—	—	—	—
1990-91	New York Rangers	NHL		5	0	0	0	36		6	0	2	2	21
1991-92	New York Rangers	NHL		51	7	4	11	121		12	1	1	2	38
1992-93	New York Rangers	NHL		65	3	6	9	31		—	—	—	—	—
1993-94	New York Rangers	NHL		71	2	1	3	129		20	1	1	2	17
1994-95	New York Rangers	NHL		48	1	2	3	71		10	0	0	0	8
1995-96	New York Rangers	NHL		38	1	2	3	49		—	—	—	—	—
1995-96	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		7	0	1	1	19		1	0	0	0	0
1996-97	San Antonio Dragons	IHL		5	1	1	2	24		—	—	—	—	—
1996-97	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		34	2	1	3	70		19	1	3	4	22
1997-98	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		63	6	5	11	92		18	4	0	4	30
1998-99	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		39	2	5	7	87		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				821	80	82	162	2519		118	10	12	22	231

Achievements

• 1994 Stanley Cup Champion (NYR)
• 1997 Stanley Cup Champion (Detroit)
• 1998 Stanley Cup Champion (Detroit)
• 2002 Stanley Cup Champion (Detroit as Video Coach)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]