Professional Ice Hockey Player. Born Robert Alan Probert, he played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 17 seasons. A Right Wing, he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1983 and initially played for their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. After splitting the 1985-1986 and 1986-1987 seasons between the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL and Detroit, in 1987-1988, Probert was an NHL All-Star and developed an "enforcer" reputation by amassing 398 penalty minutes. In 1989, he was arrested for cocaine possession and served three months in prison and three in a halfway house. In 1994, he crashed his motorcycle, and police determined that he was driving while intoxicated and had used cocaine. The Red Wings then declined to offer him a new contract and he joined the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played until 2002. His career NHL totals included 935 games, 163 goals, 221 assists and 3,300 penalty minutes (6th in NHL history). Probert was acquitted of breach of peace in 2004, and paid a fine after breaching the peace, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer in 2005. Though his travel was limited by a requirement to obtain advance permission to cross the U.S.-Canada border, he remained a fan favorite and stayed active with the Red Wings while working to overcome his addictions, playing in charity games, speaking at conventions and conducting hockey clinics. Probert died after suffering chest pains and collapsing while fishing on a boat at Lake St. Clair.
Professional Ice Hockey Player. Born Robert Alan Probert, he played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 17 seasons. A Right Wing, he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1983 and initially played for their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. After splitting the 1985-1986 and 1986-1987 seasons between the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL and Detroit, in 1987-1988, Probert was an NHL All-Star and developed an "enforcer" reputation by amassing 398 penalty minutes. In 1989, he was arrested for cocaine possession and served three months in prison and three in a halfway house. In 1994, he crashed his motorcycle, and police determined that he was driving while intoxicated and had used cocaine. The Red Wings then declined to offer him a new contract and he joined the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played until 2002. His career NHL totals included 935 games, 163 goals, 221 assists and 3,300 penalty minutes (6th in NHL history). Probert was acquitted of breach of peace in 2004, and paid a fine after breaching the peace, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer in 2005. Though his travel was limited by a requirement to obtain advance permission to cross the U.S.-Canada border, he remained a fan favorite and stayed active with the Red Wings while working to overcome his addictions, playing in charity games, speaking at conventions and conducting hockey clinics. Probert died after suffering chest pains and collapsing while fishing on a boat at Lake St. Clair.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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