Reg Fleming was a journeyman swingman, playing for 7 teams in 14 years in the NHL and WHA. He scored a playoff goal during the Hawks' 1961 Cup run, and managed to notch a couple more goals in the 1962 playoffs.

Fleming wound up being a pioneer of sorts, being the first NHL player to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the brain injury that had previously been exclusive to boxers and football players.

Reg made his living with his fists, and he was tougher than a 25 cent steak throughout his NHL and WHA career. He did actually manage to have some decent scoring years, scoring 18 goals in 1964-65 with the Bruins and 23 in 1972-73 with the Chicago Cougars of the WHA.

Before Reg died in 2009, his son Chris made a series of videotapes of Reggie that can be found here. At the time these were made, Reg had suffered a series of strokes, as well as a heart attack.

Having given that backstory, I still love watching him battle. Whether that can be listed among my other numerous failings is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. Still, I'm giving you a couple good ones here. First, I give you Reg as a Buffalo Sabre taking on Wayne Cashman of the Boston Bruins:




Next is Reg as a Cougar, taking on someone you might recognize:



Thanks, Reg.