The American Hockey League is widely considered to be the best development league in the world.
In the 2018-19 season, 107 players and three coaches from the AHL made their NHL debuts.
With all 31 teams having an AHL affiliation, a league is a fantastic place for teams to stash their prospects in hopes of succeeding at a lower level before earning a call-up to the big club.
But there was once a time where the league was known for having a ton of grinders and players known for their fighting skills first and foremost, while not necessarily being valuable players who could help contribute on the scoresheet and scoreboard.
Hockey isn't as violent as it once was, so having a team full of goons isn't as prominent as when Joffrey Lupul played in the AHL.
The former Anaheim Ducks winger appeared on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast on Tuesday with former NHLers Ryan Whitney and Paul Bissonnette and retold a hilarious story when he was with the Cincinnati Ducks, the Mighty Ducks' AHL affiliate, during the 2004-05 NHL lockout.
The story didn't appear in the podcast episode, but Lupul, who now resides in Newport Beach, California, made sure to tell it. Lupul explains that during those years in the league, most teams would have to heavyweight enforcers who would take care of all team's business.
The Ducks were desperate one night to add some more toughness in their lineup. Who did they recruit? A former gold gloves boxer, who happened to be a bouncer at a local bar. Take it away, Joffrey.
That's right, the doorman at the local bar got an ATO. You wouldn't want to meet Lee Jacobson in an alleyway. In that year, he registered 0 points in 18 games while racking up 104 PIMs.
According to Elite Prospects, Jacobson floated around the NAHL, CHL, ECHL and AHL over seven seasons of professional hockey.
Lee Jacobson, the real-life Doug Glatt from Goon. What a crazy story.
