David Koci, 6' 6", 238-pound, left wing, is a native of the Czech Republic, and an old-fashion NHL goon. Koci made his riotous NHL debut with the Blackhawks in 2006-07, going scoreless with 88 penalty minutes in nine contests. His first 42 penalty minutes all came in his first game on March 31, 2007, at Phoenix; he battled Josh Gratton twice in the first period. In the third period, he tussled with Nick Boynton, and received a double game misconduct (for the fight hat trick and for charging.)
David Koci, Hockey Fights
Koci was an AHL fan favorite whose most prolific fight seasons thus far came in 2004-05 for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he registered 311 penalty minutes, and 2003-2004, in which he logged 29 regular season fighting majors.
He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round, 146th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Koci’s first NHL fight was in a preseason game as a Pittsburgh Penguin against the New York Islanders’ Eric Godard. The game took place Sep 20, 2003, and Godard and David Koci engaged in a vigorous scrap four minutes into the second period. Both landed heavy punches in an energetic fight which lasted well over one minute.
From 2006-2008, Koci amassed 15 regular season fighting majors as a Blackhawk. On October 20, 2007, he had his nose shattered in a fight with Toronto enforcer Wade Belak, and, quite remarkably, just five days later, he instigated a battle with Boston Bruins’ giant Zdeno Chara.
In July 2008, the Tampa Bay Lightning signed David Koci to a one-year, two-way contract. Koci appeared in 37 shared games with the Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Louis Blues during the 2008-09 campaign, tallying two points (1g/1a) and 141 penalty minutes. The quintessential ruffian skated in 33 contests with Tampa Bay and ranked second on the club with 132 penalty minutes. He also saw playing time in four games with St. Louis, recording nine penalty minutes, including one scrap with Andrew Peters of the Buffalo Sabres. In July 2009, the Colorado Avalanche, looking to add grit and roughness to its lineup, signed the free agent forward to a one-year deal.
Koci, a fearless competitor, racked up a career-high 11 fighting majors, including scraps against Colton Orr, Jody Shelley, and Brian McGrattan. On December 15, 2009, he fought John Erskine of the Washington Capitals after Koci boarded a Capital player in the second period of a game which saw the Avalanche being dominated 5-0. Caps players and coaches called for Koci’s suspension – no disciplinary action was handed down by the league.
David Koci, Colorado Avalanche
Koci re-signed with the Colorado Avalanche over the summer and he should see some action in the 2010 season. Koci’s greatest rivals include Raitis Ivanans (three fights), George Parros (three fights), Eric Godard (two fights) and Josh Gratton (two fights). Koci’s career NHL statistics heading into the 2010 season: 107 regular season games, two goals, one assist, 381 penalty minutes, and 43 fights (including preseason).
David Koci 2010-2011
David Koci sustained a broken jaw in a preseason fight against Kevin Westgarth of the Los Angeles Kings, September 22, 2010.
Brian D'Ambrosio - Brian D'Ambrosio is the author of more than 500 published articles and seven books, including From Haikus to Hatmaking: A Year in the Life ...
