Exclusive: A chat with the Grim Reaper!

Colt Seavers · #1 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 07:11 PM

Stu Grimson
Left Wing
Born May 20 1965 -- Vancouver, BC
Height 6.05 -- Weight 230
Stats - According to hockeydb
729 NHL GP
268 NHL FIGHTS
2113 PIM

Comparison.....Stu played the same amount of NHL games as Dave Brown

Stus nickname is only relative to his on-ice persona. He's quite the opposite, off the ice. He was very candid, eloquent, and displayed a very laid back personality. With the little time I had to talk with him, I can see why he's one of the most respected players, and enforcers, to ever lace up the skates. Any team who had him as part of their organization or any player who had Stu as a teammate should consider themselves extremely lucky. I can't think of anyone better who I want watching my back on the ice, or in my locker room during the game. With 2,113 PIMS under his belt, Grimson earned the reputation as a fearsome and intimidating force to reckon with. I would like to thank Stu for taking some personal time to oblige me for a interview. It was truly an honor.

Quote:

What were your most memorable moments during your Major Junior career?

2 most notably. My first year of Juniors, we went to the league finals against the Kamloops Blazers. It was a great and hard fought series. We played a 7 game series, and came within a whisker of winning the Memorial Cup. I would definitely point to that as one of my most memorable moments. The other one, in my 3rd year of Juniors, I had 50+ points that year, and that was also the year I was drafted by the Flames. I also ended up turning pro that year. So, that year, 84-85, was a pretty memorable year.

Coming up from juniors and the IHL what players influenced you along the way?
I liked John Tonelli. John was a member of a team I really liked following, the New York Islanders. They were a really strong team, a kind of a dynasty during the early to mid 80’s. I always thought John Tonelli was an interesting guy to watch. He wasn’t the most talented guy out there, but he worked hard and he really got by on sheer grit and determination and I always found him to be real inspirational kind of a player.

You chose not to play after being selected in the 10th round by the Detroit Red Wings of the 1983 NHL entry draft. Was this because you were not ready, or had you hoped for a higher placement in your initial draft position?
No, actually the way that works is if your drafting team doesn’t offer you a contract within 10 months, they loose their rights to you, and you then have the ability to re-enter the draft. So, it really was through no choice of mine. Detroit chose not to offer me a contract. So, that was the reason I re-entered the draft. I was selected by Calgary a couple of years later.

When did you first realize fighting was going to be a big part of your hockey career?

Probably during my first year of Junior. That was my first exposure to competitive elite level pro style hockey. It was pretty apparent to me there was a niche role for bigger guys to play an aggressive role and I think it became clear to me early in my Junior career that was going to have to be a at least an element of my game.

You put up some big penalty minute numbers with Salt Lake of the IHL. Can you tell me a little bit about your time there?

I played for a couple of good coaches. I played for Paul Baxter, who was a long time pro with a number of different NHL teams. I played for a guy named Bob Francis who went on to coach in the NHL as well. I had 3 real good strong years and learned a lot. It provided a bit of a foundation for me to go on and play at the NHL level.

You were teammates briefly with Shane Churla while with Salt Lake. What was it like going from teammate to rival in the Norris division?

It was pretty interesting actually. Shane and I have actually been rivals long before that. He was a Medicine Hat Tiger of the WHL when I was with the Regina Rats. He and I locked horns a number of times before. Shane is a good guy; a real competitive guy and we got along great off the ice and always have as long as we known each other. We actually bumped into each other a few backs back.

We fans don't hear much about players as far as NHL training camp is concerned. Can you describe any memorable NHL training camp/scrimmage bouts where you believe you got the attention of your coaches/team brass?

When I was breaking it in with Calgary, I knew I was going to be a member of the organization and crack the big league lineup. I had to get my feet wet. So, I used to fight guys like Neil Sheehy and Tim Hunter in hopes to earn my spot in the lineup.

You came up briefly twice with Calgary, but immediately made your presence felt by battling Edmonton's Dave Brown. Can you tell us about those scraps and what it was like being a young fighter and trying to make a name for your self?

That was probably one of the more memorable moments of my pro career. I remember coming up in the Calgary Flames organization and having a very fierce rivalry with the Oilers. Dave Brown at that stage in my life, 1988-89, was well established and has been around the league for a number of years. He was, if not, the toughest guy in the league was certainly arguably one of the toughest guys in the league and it was pretty intimidating to have to break in and to know you had to lock horns with big Dave. I did well against him the first time I fought him. We had a home and home series when I was first called up and I beat Dave in the first fight we had. I realized soon after that I accomplished the single greatest achievement of my career at that point. But, at the same time, I made the biggest mistake of my career because you don’t get the better of Dave Brown and not expect to answer back very soon after. The second game of this home and home series was back in Calgary and he came loaded and prepared. He beat me pretty good. You don’t get the better of Dave and not to expect to hear from him again, no question.

Dave Brown was the toughest guy you ever faced. In your mind, what was it about Dave that made him the most challenging?

I would say so. I mean, there were a lot of real tough guys I locked horns with. I would add Bob Probert in that category. Big George Laraque. I think Brownie was the hardest hitter I faced. He’s technically a real good fighter. He was relentless and it didn’t matter; If you got the better of him one night, he was going to come back and he would fight you until he won.

Do you recall the details of your first NHL goal?

Quite well actually! It was actually a very significant moment for a lot of reasons. I was in Chicago when we played the Calgary Flames. My first daughter was born on Oct 23, 1991. I was at the hospital for most of the morning for the birth of my daughter. I played in the game later that night and I got my first NHL goal against a guy I knew real well and have played against for a number of years, Mike Vernon. It was a pretty neat deal. Nothing terribly pretty about the goal either. It was a rebound chance and it was laying at Mike’s feet. I happen to be crashing to the net and banged it through his pads. But, for a guy like me, I didn’t really care how they go in as long as I get credit for them. I kept that puck.

What was it like having Todd Ewen for a teammate and fellow tough guy?

I like Todd! I much rather be a teammate that have to play against him. It was great. You don’t often get into a situation like that. To me, it happened a couple of times in my career where I got to be on a team with another established NHL heavyweight at the same time. Usually, you really have one guy filling that role. It was great to be with Todd and I played on the same line together quite a bit. It was nice to have someone else shoulder the load a little.

You became a fan favorite in the windy city. What are your thoughts on your time playing for the Blackhawks, the fans and the city?

I loved it. It was easily one of the favorite stops in my career. We were a good team back then in the early 90’s. We were playing in the old Chicago Stadium. For folks who have ever had a chance to see a game there, you would know it was probably one of the most electrifying atmospheres in all of pro sports. It was a great, great old building and a lot of fun to play there. We had some strong teams and we ended going the distance in the playoffs in 2 of the years I was there. I have a lot of great memories in Chicago. The fans were the best and I have never felt more a member of the community than when I was with the Blackhawks.

What were the circumstances around your move to Chicago? Do you feel as if you were brought in to counter Bob Probert?

I think that was part of it, I’m certain. Back then, the divisions were aligned and named differently. We played in the Norris division-St. Louis, Toronto, Chicago, North Stars, and the Red Wings. All of these teams were very physical-so physical that we used to call it the “Chuck Norris” division. I know for a fact that my presence in the Chicago line up was to certainly offset or to address some of that physical presence that was so much part of all those other organizations.

What are your thoughts on Bob Probert and fighting him?

Bob and I fought so many times throughout the course of our careers-a dozen to 14 times. I think if you had to draw a line for winner/loser, I’d say it’s somewhere split down the middle. I got the best of him on a few nights, as well as he got the best of me on a few nights. He’s a tough guy, and I have a great deal of respect for Bob. He was a real competitor, and a good player at the same time. A lot of people don’t recall that aspect of his game. Certainly, when he was a member of the Red Wings and BlackHawks, Probie was a good player.

During the summer of '95, the Rangers were trying to acquire you, in hopes of replacing Joey Kocur. What were your thoughts when Detroit matched the Rangers offer-hence you ended up playing for the Red Wings?

That’s exactly right. I was kind of torn, really. I did enjoy my time in Detroit and being a member of that organization. Looking back over a period of time, I think to a certain degree-I do regret not going over the Rangers. I think my style of game was probably a better fit for the Rangers at that moment. They were a good physical club and they were coached by Colin Campbell. Coli had more use for a physical-type of player like myself than Scotty Bowman. I think Scotty liked having a heavyweight in his line-up, but it was kind of odd. As much as he appreciated having me on the roster, I felt as though he never really wanted me to assert myself as frequently as I felt I needed to do so. It was kind of a strange mix.

Other players claim Scotty Bowman wasn't fond of fighting. He is noted for utilizing enforcers to deter fighting, as a strategy?

Yes, I think that is an accurate comment-I really do.

Was Scotty critical in the way he wanted you to perform your job?
He never really talked about it much.

What was it like being Captain Steve Yzermans teammate?

I liked playing with Steve. He is a great guy. I always felt he was one of the classiest individuals I ever been around. In the brief time we were together, I saw him really mature as a leader and I think the success of that organization came along part parcel with Steve’s maturing. He was the kind of guy who, over time, was glad to shoulder the responsibility in different ways, on or off the ice, for that group of individuals in the locker room. One of the best examples I always like to cite is-if we were struggling or suffered a bad loss, Steve always took it upon himself to be the last guy in the locker room to address and answer all the questions from the media. Detroit is a rabid hockey town, and there was always a great deal of media presence in the locker room. It was no small responsibility, but one he shouldered willingly and I will always respect that about him.

As your career progressed you played for a number of teams with stops in Detroit, Carolina, LA, Anaheim, etc. Who were the players or coaches who influenced you the most during your career?

Good question. I had many strong influences. I look back and Michel Goulet was influential in my career. He was a quiet guy in many respects, but he was the kind of guy of that when he spoke, you knew he had something meaningful to say. I always appreciated his insight. For me, he was a good guy to be teamed with, breaking in the NHL. We were together in Chicago a few years.

A lot of people know you as a tough guy or enforcer but can you tell me about what it's like to be a leader on some of these teams you were on? What was it like giving advice to young players?

That’s a role-a niche-I tried to fulfill over the course of my career. For me, I would play on average 3 to 5 minutes a night at best. So, I had this willingness to contribute in any way I could. I knew I wasn’t going to be playing a ton, so I wanted to fill a void and make a contribution in any other way that I could. For me, that was leadership. I like to be vocal in the locker room. I wanted to make sure my teammates were ready to go. Anyway I could help in that regard, I was glad to do it.

If Darren Langdon and I were to tangle, what advice would you give me?

He’s a good smart fighter. He’s not a big guy, but I think you have to keep your wits about you. He’s fights well and throws well with both hands, and you definitely have your hands full with Darren.

If you could, list one fight from your entire career in which you would want a rematch?

Good question. Maybe the second time I fought Dave Brown. I didn’t do very well in that one.

Do you feel your concussion problems were the result of the one fight with Laraque or an accumulation of punches taken over your entire career?

It was an accumulation of a lot of fights. George is a big strong guy, and I don’t take anything away from him. He hit me square the last time we fought. That was a blow like a lot of other blows that I sustained over the course of my career. I just think it was a point in time when everything was starting to catch up with me.

Can you tell us about your thoughts on the NHL today? If you were the commissioner, what changes would you implement?

I don’t think I would implement a lot of major changes. I like the changes that have taken place so far. I think the game is still exciting. With less clutching and grabbing, we get a chance to see how talented these athletes are with what they actually do with the puck. And I would be hesitant to make any changes that would make the sport less physical then it already is. It’s an aggressive and contact sport first and foremost and that’s one of the things that makes hockey exciting.

Because of the Derek Sanderson tragedy, the role of fighting in the NHL and possible rule changes are a hot topic for debate and added to the agenda for the GM March meeting. What is your position on this? (keep the rules status quo?; modify or eliminate the Instigator? Helmet straps?)

If it was my position, I would want guys to wear a tighter fitting chin strap. I understand it’s the players choice and they should be free to decide in what equipment they want to wear. But, in my mind, it’s a rather modest change and the benefits in overall terms of safety would be well worth it.

Is it your position that if helmets come off during a fight, the fight still continues at the linesman discretion?

Yeah, I would agree to that.

Any rules changes as far as altering, or removing the Instigator rule?

No, I really wouldn’t change it. I don’t think it has an impact on the game and on the fighters ability to do what a fighter does. I don’t think the instigator rule is any kind of hindrance.

As far as your current career is concerned-do you see yourself being part of the NHL as an Executive in the future?

I thought about it, but I’m happy being an attorney. I like where I’m at.