A few months back, we had asked the question of whether the Penguins lack grit heading into the season. While this club could still use some of that intangible as we inch closer to the playoffs, Deryk Engelland has proven that he will answer the bell when push comes to shove. Last month, we rated Engelland as one of the ten best fighters in Penguins history. In 2011, former NHL enforcer Jim Thomson selected Engelland as the best fighter in the NHL, calling him, “the hardest puncher by far.”
Amidst all of the injuries that have plagued the Penguins this season, Engelland has been called upon to play up front or on the back end. Coach Dan Bylsma is fortunate to have a player who can wear multiple hats on any given night. The flexibility that Engelland provides as a physical defenseman or forward is invaluable.
“His ability to play both positions has allowed him to be a factor in many ways,” Bylsma said to reporters.
As impressive at it is to see a player move to wing on one shift and defense on another to kill a penalty is his road to the NHL. Engelland played his entire junior career with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, starting in 1998, playing a total of 243 games.
He started his his professional career in 2003 with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL. During the 2003–04 season, Engelland split time between the Wranglers and the American Hockey League Lowell Lock Monsters. During that season, he had his first encounter with Colton Orr of the Province Bruins. Engelland went on to spend the entire 2004–05 season with the Wranglers of the ECHL.
In 2005 Engelland joined the South Carolina Stingrays and also spent time with the Stingray’s AHL affiliate the Hershey Bears. During 2006–07, he played primarily for the Bears and appeared in six games with the Reading Royals. Engelland was signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007, but not before totaling an impressive 729 games, 243 junior games and 486 minor league games before reaching the age at age 27.
Engelland, now 31, has become a mainstay for Bylsma’s squad.
“It’s a unique versatility that he’s giving us right now,” Bylsma said. “The situation that he is playing in playing forward, playing defense and even playing defense on the penalty kill in games he’s playing forward is very unique, as is having the mindset to be able to do that.”
Engelland is one of the Penguins’ toughest and hardest-hitting players. However, Many have noted that Engelland, while he may be a good fighter, may not be a true feared heavyweight in the NHL today. At 6’2 and 210 pounds, “The King of Engelland” should not be judged for his size and stature, but for his heart, determination and quite honestly, his cojones.
– January 11th, 2014: The Penguins were playing the Calgary Flames when Brian Mcgrattan, arguably the best fighter in the NHL today, started to throw his weight around the ice. Even though Engelland got a personal lesson and an up close look at a quick right hand by Mcgrattan. Engelland gets high praise from his coaches, players, and fans for even having the stones to drop his gloves against a true enforcer.
– February 5th, 2014: The Penguins were playing the Buffalo Sabres when John Scott, the biggest goon in hockey today, started taking liberties with Penguin players. On his next shift, Engelland challenged the much larger Scott. While Engelland may have not won the scrap, the message was sent.
So whether it’s playing defense, playing on a wing, killing penalties or dropping the gloves. Engelland will do whatever it takes to play in the NHL.
