Stu Grimson
Encyclopedia
A. Stuart Grimson is a former Canadian
ice hockey
forward
. Grimson played in the National Hockey League
from 1989 to 2002. During this time, he played for the Calgary Flames
, Chicago Blackhawks
, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
, Detroit Red Wings
, Hartford Whalers
/Carolina Hurricanes
, Los Angeles Kings
, and Nashville Predators
. Stu was known as an enforcer
throughout his career. He compiled over 2,000 penalty minutes. His fearsome reputation as a fighter earned him the nickname "The Grim Reaper".
It wasn't until the 1996–97 season, when Stu moved to Hartford, that he became one of the NHL's elite fighters. Almost overnight, his balance improved dramatically and he added some muscle to his previously lanky frame. In that season, he scored decisive wins over established fighters such as Randy McKay, Darren Langdon
and Enrico Ciccone
, and he battered Ryan Vandenbussche
and Shane Churla
of the New York Rangers in one-sided victories. The following season saw Stu move with the Whalers to Carolina, and as a Hurricane he continued to be a force in the league. He started a rivalry with Krzysztof Oliwa
of the New Jersey Devils
that season, which saw the two men fight several times over the next few seasons, usually to a draw.
Stu spent the next two seasons back in Anaheim, and played his final full season with the Los Angeles Kings
in 2000–2001. He remained a respected and elite heavyweight fighter, but in his final season, in Nashville
, he suffered from post-concussion syndrome and was forced to retire after a fight with Georges Laraque
of the Edmonton Oilers
. He had already been suffering effects before that bout, and even admitted he once blacked out in the middle of a fight.
Stu enjoyed a career-long rivalry with legendary enforcer Bob Probert
, considered by many observers to be one of the top fighters in NHL history. Though the consensus is that Probert got the better of the rivalry, Stu usually held his own and scored a couple of wins of his own against Probert.
In his final seasons, Stu built rivalries with a new generation of fighters, such as Georges Laraque
, Krzysztof Oliwa
and Scott Parker.
was no wimp," Grimson said in one interview). After retiring, Grimson finished his undergraduate degree and began work on a law degree. He completed his law degree in December 2005 at the University of Memphis Law School
and currently works for the Nashville law firm of Kay, Griffin, Enkema & Brothers, PLLC.
He has four children: Jayne, Kristjan, Hannah, and Erin.
Grimson appeared in a 2001 commercial spot for The Foundation For A Better Life. It begins with on-ice game action leading up to an intermission. While in the locker room with the team, Grimson receives a phone call. It is revealed that the caller is Grimson's young daughter, who asks him to sing Itsy Bitsy Spider
. He reluctantly complies, much to the amusement of his teammates. Grimson replies "Hey, it's my girl! You know, my daughter?" The commercial showed a softer side of Grimson as a good family man.
During an October 6, 2011 edition of Hockey Night In Canada
, Don Cherry accused Stu Grimson, along with Chris Nilan
and Jim Thomson
, of being 'pukes' & 'hypocrites' for supposedly making a living as an enforcers and now complaining about it. Grimson, now a lawyer, has indicated that he considered legal action against Don Cherry on behalf of himself, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson citing Cherry's claims as "baseless and slanderous." After an apology on Hockey Night in Canada by Cherry, Grimson has reconsidered his lawsuit against Cherry stating that "This is a decision for Canadians. The CBC is your network; you pay for it. And you hold the network to certain standards and values."
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
forward
Forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a forward is a player position on the ice whose primary responsibility is to score goals. Generally, the forwards try to stay in three different lanes, also known as thirds, of the ice going from goal to goal. It is not mandatory however, to stay in a lane. Staying in a lane aids in...
. Grimson played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
from 1989 to 2002. During this time, he played for the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
/Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
, Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Stu was known as an enforcer
Enforcer (hockey)
Enforcer is an unofficial role in ice hockey. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "fighter", "tough guy", or "goon". NHL players regarded as enforcers include Tiger Williams, Tony Twist, Bob Probert, Dave Semenko, Dave Schultz, Tie Domi, Dave Brown, Joey Kocur, Clark Gillies, Stu Grimson,...
throughout his career. He compiled over 2,000 penalty minutes. His fearsome reputation as a fighter earned him the nickname "The Grim Reaper".
Playing career
During his lengthy career, Stu improved as a fighter. In his younger days, he lacked balance, and was vulnerable to shorter, more powerfully built fighters. It was during his first stint with Anaheim that he began to show signs of improving his balance, and though his style still left him vulnerable, he scored wins over some of the league's tougher fighters.It wasn't until the 1996–97 season, when Stu moved to Hartford, that he became one of the NHL's elite fighters. Almost overnight, his balance improved dramatically and he added some muscle to his previously lanky frame. In that season, he scored decisive wins over established fighters such as Randy McKay, Darren Langdon
Darren Langdon
Darren Langdon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger. He was undrafted but signed his first pro contract in 1993 with the New York Rangers...
and Enrico Ciccone
Enrico Ciccone
Enrico Ciccone is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Ciccone was drafted in 1990 by the Minnesota North Stars. After playing just 31 games with the North Stars, he was traded to the Washington Capitals prior to the 1993–94 NHL season. After just 51 games, he was traded to the Tampa Bay...
, and he battered Ryan Vandenbussche
Ryan VandenBussche
Ryan VandenBussche is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played in 9 National Hockey League seasons with the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Pittsburgh Penguins...
and Shane Churla
Shane Churla
Shane Churla is a former Canadian ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the sixth round, 110th overall, by the Hartford Whalers in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft...
of the New York Rangers in one-sided victories. The following season saw Stu move with the Whalers to Carolina, and as a Hurricane he continued to be a force in the league. He started a rivalry with Krzysztof Oliwa
Krzysztof Oliwa
Krzysztof Artur Oliwa is a Polish former professional ice hockey player. He played as a left winger in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
of the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
that season, which saw the two men fight several times over the next few seasons, usually to a draw.
Stu spent the next two seasons back in Anaheim, and played his final full season with the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 2000–2001. He remained a respected and elite heavyweight fighter, but in his final season, in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, he suffered from post-concussion syndrome and was forced to retire after a fight with Georges Laraque
Georges Laraque
Georges Laraque is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens before his contract was bought out in 2010. He is also a host for CFRN and deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada. During his NHL career he played for the Edmonton Oilers,...
of the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. He had already been suffering effects before that bout, and even admitted he once blacked out in the middle of a fight.
Stu enjoyed a career-long rivalry with legendary enforcer Bob Probert
Bob Probert
Robert Alan Probert was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. Probert played for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks...
, considered by many observers to be one of the top fighters in NHL history. Though the consensus is that Probert got the better of the rivalry, Stu usually held his own and scored a couple of wins of his own against Probert.
In his final seasons, Stu built rivalries with a new generation of fighters, such as Georges Laraque
Georges Laraque
Georges Laraque is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens before his contract was bought out in 2010. He is also a host for CFRN and deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada. During his NHL career he played for the Edmonton Oilers,...
, Krzysztof Oliwa
Krzysztof Oliwa
Krzysztof Artur Oliwa is a Polish former professional ice hockey player. He played as a left winger in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
and Scott Parker.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1982–83 | Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
48 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | ||
| 1983–84 | Regina Pats | WHL | 63 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 131 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 29 | ||
| 1984–85 | Regina Pats | WHL | 71 | 24 | 32 | 56 | 248 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 14 | ||
| 1985–86 | U. of Manitoba University of Manitoba The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed... |
CIAU Canadian Interuniversity Sport Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association... |
12 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 113 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | U. of Manitoba | CIAU | 29 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Salt Lake Golden Eagles Salt Lake Golden Eagles The Salt Lake Golden Eagles were a minor professional hockey team based in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1969 to 1994.They played in the Western Hockey League from 1969 to 1974, the Central Hockey League from 1974 to 1984 and the International Hockey League from 1984 to 1994... |
IHL | 37 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 268 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Salt Lake Golden Eagles | IHL | 72 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 397 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 86 | ||
| 1988–89 | Calgary Flames Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... |
NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Salt Lake Golden Eagles | IHL | 62 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 319 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| 1989–90 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
NHL | 35 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 183 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | ||
| 1991–92 | Indianapolis Ice Indianapolis Ice The Indianapolis Ice is the name of a former hockey team in Indianapolis, Indiana, that played in the International Hockey League from 1988–99 and in the Central Hockey League from 1999–2004. Their original home arena was the Indiana State Fairgrounds Pepsi Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds... |
IHL | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 54 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 234 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | ||
| 1992–93 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 78 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 193 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 1993–94 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 77 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 199 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 31 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 110 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 26 | ||
| 1995–96 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 56 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 128 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1996–97 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Hartford Whalers Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97... |
NHL | 75 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 218 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center... |
NHL | 82 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 204 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 73 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 158 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | ||
| 1999–00 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 50 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 116 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 72 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 235 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 2001–02 | Nashville Predators Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 30 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 729 | 17 | 22 | 39 | 2113 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 120 | ||||
Personal
Despite his fearsome reputation on the ice, Grimson won respect as an intelligent and articulate man off it. He became a born-again Christian in the early 1990s and led the NHL's Christian Fellowship ("JesusJesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
was no wimp," Grimson said in one interview). After retiring, Grimson finished his undergraduate degree and began work on a law degree. He completed his law degree in December 2005 at the University of Memphis Law School
Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is an American Bar Association accredited law school and is the only law school in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has been associated with the University of Memphis since the law school's formation in 1962. The school was named in honor of...
and currently works for the Nashville law firm of Kay, Griffin, Enkema & Brothers, PLLC.
He has four children: Jayne, Kristjan, Hannah, and Erin.
Grimson appeared in a 2001 commercial spot for The Foundation For A Better Life. It begins with on-ice game action leading up to an intermission. While in the locker room with the team, Grimson receives a phone call. It is revealed that the caller is Grimson's young daughter, who asks him to sing Itsy Bitsy Spider
Itsy Bitsy Spider
"Itsy Bitsy Spider" is a popular nursery rhyme that describes the adventures of a spider as it ascends, descends and reascends the downspout or "waterspout" of a gutter system...
. He reluctantly complies, much to the amusement of his teammates. Grimson replies "Hey, it's my girl! You know, my daughter?" The commercial showed a softer side of Grimson as a good family man.
During an October 6, 2011 edition of Hockey Night In Canada
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
, Don Cherry accused Stu Grimson, along with Chris Nilan
Chris Nilan
Christopher John Nilan is a retired professional ice hockey player. Nilan played 688 NHL regular season games as a right-wing for the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers between 1980 and 1992. He won the Stanley Cup in 1986 with Montreal...
and Jim Thomson
Jim Thomson
James B. Thomson is a retired Canadian ice hockey player.Selected 185th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, Thomson also played for the Hartford Whalers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim...
, of being 'pukes' & 'hypocrites' for supposedly making a living as an enforcers and now complaining about it. Grimson, now a lawyer, has indicated that he considered legal action against Don Cherry on behalf of himself, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson citing Cherry's claims as "baseless and slanderous." After an apology on Hockey Night in Canada by Cherry, Grimson has reconsidered his lawsuit against Cherry stating that "This is a decision for Canadians. The CBC is your network; you pay for it. And you hold the network to certain standards and values."