Revisit the Biscuit: Episode 119 – Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre
In our continuing series of having a look back at the @TheBiscuitPodcast’s catalog of guests, we have a new revisit of the pod. The first time out we had a look at the Luke Gazdic episode. This week we look back at his time with Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre:
JLGP: Judgment Day
Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre was admittedly thinking the same thing most people think about when they hear the words Columbus, Ohio hockey. Does Ohio have a hockey team? Where in the hell is Columbus? Being a fan of the Blue Jackets since their inaugural season in the year 2000, I’ve heard it all about my beloved team. The credit goes to guys like “The Hyphenator” who helped create the culture of hockey in Ohio. For a life long fan, as I had mentioned, getting to record Episode 119 with Jean-Luc was a real
“pinch yourself” moment.
A born Montrealer to immigrant parents, Jean-Luc cut his teeth in the QMJHL on his way to 124 career fights and over 300 NHL PIM’s. The QMJHL might not have the reputation of say the WHL, but during JLGP’s days, there were some vicious sharks in water such as Peter Worrell, Gordie Dwyer, and future teammate and Jacket legend Jody Shelley. JLGP was in prime time to be an enforcer. The mid-1990s were just a different time. Kids in junior today could never dream of putting up 126, 206, and 196 in PIM’s like JLGP did his last three years with the Val-d’Or Foreurs. The 6’3” 210 lb. Grand-Pierre also put up 95 combined points in junior as well. When you can skate like JLGP and have that size and fight in you, you’re bound to be drafted. And Buffalo took JLGP in the 1995 draft.
Any fight fan foams at the mouth when they think about the AHL during the late 1990s. Anyone who fought during that time will most likely get wide-eyed and tell you it was a fucking jungle. Pre-lockout hockey, or what my buddy 4thLineVoice and I consider “Old Time Hockey” was glorious. JLGP played his part in this mayhem. If any of you youngsters want to see a slugfest go watch JLGP and Dody Wood from JLGP’s first year in the AHL.
The fun doesn’t stop there for the “Hyphenator”, he gets the pleasure of battling with AHL monsters like Frank Bialowas and Dennis Bonvie. Being tough must be in JLGP’s bloodline. You would never know from talking to the soft-spoken, funny, and caring JLGP or his cousin Georges Laraque, but oh man, these boys can bang. After a couple of years of splitting time with the Rochester Americans and the Buffalo Sabres, it was time for the Sabres to sever their ties with Jean-Luc. “Pack your shit” Jean-Luc you’re headed to sunny Columbus, Ohio.
In the year 2000, the Columbus Blue Jackets along with badasses JLGP, Tyler Wright, and Kevin Dineen took the ice at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus. Many of the players may not have known about Columbus or even been excited to go but they bleed for the city and the “tough guys” of the Jackets were the bright spot for a struggling new franchise for the longest time. That’s one of the best things about an enforcer like JLGP. Even if your team is playing like shit, you can always root for your “tough guys”. Until recently, Columbus hasn’t had much to cheer for. Unless you were rooting JLGP and others in a fight, you weren’t clapping for much. Again, its why this role is so great. I mean, ask a Leafs fan what 1967 means, and they might puke on you. It’s hard to win in the NHL. Whether it be games or a fight! When the Jackets or Leafs would lose a game and Wendel Clarke, Colton Orr, Tie Domi, JLGP, David Ling, or Jody Shelley pumped some opposing foe for stepping out of line you can bet your sweet ass fans had a smile on their faces. Think about the NHL in the early 00’s. JLGP had a 4-fight span with the likes of Stu Grimson, Gino Odjick, Scott “The Sheriff” Parker, and Darren McCarty.
While you let that sink in go listen to “The Biscuit” Episode 119
I’ve always loved Grand-Pierre’s style. He ‘d put his chin up, chest out, and talk trash while he went to battle. If you can’t appreciate that, you’re on the wrong website. I truly cherish those 4 years JLGP was in Columbus. Those were some of the toughest teams that ever suited up for the Jackets. I’m not blowing smoke when I say he helped build the culture of the Blue Jackets and hockey in Ohio, especially central Ohio. Ohio had an impact on Jean-Luc as well. After traveling and playing hockey overseas, JLGP came back to Ohio where his wife is from and coached high school hockey and raised his family. Listening to the importance he puts on young minds in hockey gets me excited for my own children to begin their journeys in this wonderful sport. Even with all the good, he did during his career dropping his gloves and playing the sport he loves he may be doing the most important work now with the youth of Ohio. You might even catch him in net playing goalie around the Chillers of Columbus, and I’ll let you guys know how bad he beats me in golf this summer too!
