Enforcer Advent Calendar – December 10th – Stu Grimson

The December Enforcer Advent Calendar continues with some legends you may know, and some you may not. Just like the Advent Calendars you opened as a kid, you might find a chocolate reindeer, candy cane or bell, you never know, it’s all random! This calendar is no different, you never know what enforcer you’re going to open up and find. Every enforcer that appears in this calendar was/is a warrior and should be applauded for their battles on-the-ice and off. For many of you, this will be a reminder of some of your favourites, for others, you may learn something about a player that you didn’t know. Either way, let’s have some fun celebrating these fellas!

Past Poster Boys – 

December 1st – John “Fergy” Ferguson Sr. 

December 2nd – Tony “Twister” Twist

December 3rd-  Dave “Cementhead” Semenko 

December 4th – Ryan “Muffin Man” Reaves

December 5th – Darren “Big Mac” McCarty 

December 6th – Colton “Bobby” Orr 

December 7th – Stan “Bulldog” Jonathan 

December 8th – Lyle “Cornelius” Odelein

 

December 9th –Krzysztof “The Polish Hammer” Oliwa

December 10th – Stu Grimson

It’s fair to say that Stu Grimson is cut from a different cloth. I’m not saying he’s an anomaly, but I’m saying that enforcer-turned-lawyer isn’t your average career-switch. The “Grim-Reaper” battled the likes of Probert, Laraque and Domi, but nothing’s tougher than battling ‘The Man.’ To go from being recruited outside a movie-theater for beating up some ‘Rig Pigs’ (true story) to an insurance lawyer, may not be the normal stepping-stone. But Grimson was never one to fit the mold. Rather than turning pro, the former Regina Pat opted to go to the University of Manitoba because he valued the opportunity to play hockey without having to fight and got an education in the process. Grimson parlayed that education into a successful career after he hung up the skates and continues to be play integral part in both the NHL and the minor leagues.

Stu Grimson vs Kevin McClelland – January 16, 1992 – 2nd period – 6:53

First shift??  For an enforcer that doesn’t matter. Kevin McClelland wanted to dance, and he got his partner with Grimson.  Standing 6”5’ the University of Manitoba alumunus was open to any invitation, and McClelland unfortunately sent out the wrong invite. Grimson accepted his role, and while it wasn’t ideal, he knew what would keep him in the NHL. The two mixed it up at the end boards and the scrap was inevitable. Grimson let off a handful of rights and let McClelland know that, if he was hungry, a ton of rights were waiting for him. Grimson took full advantage of his reach advantage – once he got a hold of McClleand’s jersey it was over. A flurry of right hands sent the Leafs enforcer to the ice before the fight even got started. Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Belfour even got in on the action that Thursday night by giving McClleland a little bump after the party. Nothing came of it, but Belfour was letting McClelland know that even though he joked that Grimson was a ‘piner’, he was still his teammate and would go to bat for him in the same way that Grimson did for his team every night.

Stu Grimson vs Marty McSorley – January 30, 1993 – 1st period – 2:49

Marty ‘The Mullet’ McSorley may not be his official nickname, but the mullet was on full display that Saturday night in Los Angeles. These two heavyweights didn’t waste any time dropping the gloves and got after it at the start of the 1st period. At the faceoff dot, the two just stood and traded huge right hands – neither intending to back down. Mcsorley yanked on Grimson’s jersey as much as he could to try keep the Hawks’ enforcer at bay, but at about the 17 second mark both enforcers decided to give up any form of tactical fighting and just started letting off absolute haymakers. Neither flinched. McSorley looked to get the upper hand when he was able to slip out of his jersey, but Grimson handled the change-of-outfit well and used his reach advantage to keep the jersey-less McSorley at a distance. The two enforcers set the tone for an eventful evening with nearly 10 penalties being issued in the 1st period. While the game ended in 2-2 draw, it was McSorley who left the arena with a good fight and the Kings opening goal. Not too bad for a man with a mullet.

Stu Gimson vs Bob Probert – April 07, 1996 – 1st period – 5:38

These two ‘Deca Dance Club’ members picked up where they left off at the United Center in Chicago. Having fought each other 12 times throughout their career meant it didn’t matter what jersey they were donning, they were scrapping. I’ll be the first to admit it always looks odd seeing Probert in a Hawks jersey and Grimson in a Wings jersey but aesthetics never mattered for enforcers. After Probert finished a check on Grimson, the two got into it at the end boards and decided to give the fans of Chicago a fight to kick off their Sunday night enjoyment. Maybe they set the tone with their 1st period scrap, or maybe these two teams didn’t like each other because this game ended with 46 penalties being issued. Even the goalies got themselves on the penalty sheet. Probert had to play possum in this bout because Grimson’s reach advantage made it nearly impossible to stand-and-trade with him. The two exchanged good right hands and Probert just missed on a huge uppercut that likely would have TKO’ed the enforcer-turned-lawyer. Grimson cleverly switched hands midway through the bout and landed a good uppercut on Probert but was unable to capitalize. The linesmen eventually jumped in once Probert got jerseyed out of fear that Grimson was going to tee-off on a vulnerable opponent. Overall, the judges would likely score this tilt a draw and fans sitting front row got to enjoy two legends throwing down like they’ve done so many times, for so many fans.

Grimson will be the first to poke fun at his NHL statline as he boasted a dreadful 39 points in 729 games played. When asked how he feels about his goalie Arturs Irbe having a better Points per game average than him, he simply responded “Yeah, but he gets more ice time.” Grimson knew his role and he performed it admirably, night after night. ‘The Grim Reaper’ played and fought during arguably the toughest NHL era and battled the likes of Tie Domi, Bob Probert, Rob Ray and many more. There is something to be said about being an enforcer and doing it amongst the elites. Grimson’s road to the NHL was different than most and, while he was drafted by the Red Wings, they never offered him a contract. There is a weird rule in the NHL where retaining a player’s rights doesn’t require you sign them – you only need to offer them a contract. Detroit clearly didn’t like what they saw with Grimson and he was sent back into the draft where his rights were picked up by Calgary. The Flames invested in Grimson and even sent him to a skating camp in hopes of improving the big man’s skills. It must have worked, because Grimson not only stayed on his feet fighting Dave Brown in the Battle of Alberta but was able to skate on the biggest stage for over a decade. Grimson has settled into his role as lawyer in Nashville and detailed his journey in the well-written, “The Life and Career of a Reluctant Warrior.” The fact that Dave Brown shattered Grimson’s orbital bone, which he took as a sign that he could handle anything, shows that ‘The Grim Reaper’s’ name wasn’t bestowed upon him, it was earned.

Twitter:@Jonesinthezone