ode
Not really many prototypical "enforcers" left anymore, mostly 4th line guys that are tough guys but can play a little.So in essence, they are the next man up guys.
Intimidation was a big part of the game and should be, as that is part of the roots of the game itself.
As for policing, players take cheap shots all the time ( slashes, cross checks and hits from behind) and when those guys aren't tossed in the box or out of the games, they are served notice. It usually ends it there, but sometimes it takes a good dust up or two to resolve it, in an honourable way.
Sadly, too many star players have to fight their own battles (Sid Crosby as an example) which leaves them vulnerable to injury and the potential for missed games, so the fans ultimately lose out in the long run.
In the days before visors, instigator rule (dumbest new rule ever, imo) anybody abusing the other teams' star player usually got a warning to quit it, or got punched in the mouth.
Think Dave Semenko and Wayne Gretzky as one example.
