Stu Grimson's honest words about Bob Probert

Stu Grimson carried the intimidating nickname “The Grim Reaper” throughout his career. He was one of the most feared players in the NHL during the 1990s. But Bob Probert was just as feared. Now, Grimson has revealed what it was like fighting Probert.
“He was a handful,” Grimson recalls.

During the 1990s, the NHL was filled to the brim with enforcers — Kelly Chase, Tony Twist, Joey Kocur, and Tie Domi, to name a few.

Stu Grimson and Bob Probert

And then there were, of course, Stu Grimson and Bob Probert. Probert racked up 3,300 penalty minutes in 935 NHL games, while Grimson recorded 2,113 in 729 games. Neither player ever backed down from anybody, and they fought each other 14 times — a personal high for both men.
However, they respected each other off the ice. During one playoff series, they ran into each other at a restaurant and ended up talking and having a good time.
“That meeting helped me realize that most NHL tough guys probably see their role the same way I did. It’s our job, but it doesn’t define who we are as people. Probert was an intimidating, monstrous force on the ice. But he was a pretty engaging guy off it,” Grimson wrote in his autobiography, The Grim Reaper: The Life and Career of a Reluctant Warrior.

Grimson’s honest take

Appearing as a guest on the Ice Guardians podcast, hosted by Brett Hull and Kelly Chase, Stu Grimson shared what it was like fighting Bob Probert.
“I fought Probie 14 times over the course of our careers. There was nobody I fought more than Probie. God rest his soul. Probie was a handful. He was a good fighter. He didn’t hit like some of the other guys did,” Grimson recalled on the podcast.

Grimson also talked about how Probert was more than just a fighter — he was also a very talented hockey player.
“Guys like Probie struck that balance. They were ready to go, but they could play the game. They’d log 15 to 18 minutes a night. I always admired that,” Grimson said on the podcast.
You can watch the video below.