Feared NHL fighter looks like a child next to Shaquille O’Neal
It’s not often, if ever, that somebody can make Ryan Reaves look small.
The recently retired 39-year-old was one of the NHL’s most feared enforcers throughout his 962-game career. Part of his intimidating presence came from his imposing 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame, which made him an intimidating matchup for just about anyone willing to drop the gloves.
On Wednesday night, however, Reaves found himself looking considerably smaller than usual.
Reaves, who is beginning to transition into a career in sports media, joined the NHL on TNT panel for the first time Wednesday night. During the broadcast, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal made a brief appearance, eventually coming face-to-face with the former NHL heavyweight in a rather hilarious encounter.
The two stood side-by-side, and the size difference was something to behold.
SHAQ STOPPED BY THE STUDIO AND FOR A SECOND IT LOOKED LIKE HIM AND REAVES MIGHT FIGHT 🥊😂 pic.twitter.com/aYW6DZHsdS
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) November 5, 2026
O’Neal, who stands at a towering 7-foot-1, is one of the most physically imposing athletes in sports history. Even among professional athletes, his combination of height and size is difficult to comprehend, and standing next to Reaves made that abundantly clear.
Despite spending nearly two decades making life miserable for some of the NHL’s toughest players, Reaves suddenly looked like the smaller sibling in a family photo. It’s not exactly a position hockey fans are accustomed to seeing him in.
Reaves officially announced his retirement in September after 16 NHL seasons. He finished his career with 66 goals, 74 assists and 1,137 penalty minutes across 962 regular-season games, establishing himself as one of the league’s most recognizable tough guys.
Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images
While his playing days are behind him, Wednesday’s appearance suggests Reaves could be a familiar face on hockey broadcasts moving forward. His personality and experience should make for an interesting addition to the media landscape.
He may have spent his NHL career being one of the last players anyone wanted to challenge, but even Reaves had to take a back seat when Shaq walked into the room.