Kelly Chase recently reflected on a memorable moment involving Garth Butcher and Stu Grimson. The former St. Louis Blues captain was known for his quick wit and banter, and set his sights on Grimson.
The Blues and Chicago Blackhawks had an intense rivalry, especially during that time, so every game was important. They would try getting in their opponent’s head to gain any advantage possible.
During an episode of his Ice Guardians Podcast, Chase recalled Butcher informing him that he was going to target Grimson before the game. The Blues captain insisted that he would drop the gloves with the Blackhawks enforcer and for Chase not to worry.
Chase, a Blues enforcer at the time, recalled Butcher, his podcast guest, teasing Grimson about his intelligence during the warmup. He used information about the Blackhawks enforcer being a born-again Christian to do so, which sparked a back-and-forth exchange.
“[Butcher] starts giving it to [Grimson] and I’m looking at him, I’m thinking, ‘Jesus, Butch, don’t wind him up,'” Chase said. “Grimmer’s big into the faith. [Butcher] goes, ‘You can’t be a born-again Christian,’ and [Grimson says], ‘Butchie, shut your mouth.’ [Butcher responds], ‘You can’t be. There’s no pictures in the bible. You can’t read.'”
Kelly Chase Reveals Garth Butcher and Stu Grimson’s Banter Didn’t Lead to a Fight
Kelly Chase also revealed that the banter between Garth Butcher and Stu Grimson didn’t result in a fight. However, a fight ensuing was not for a lack of trying.
During the episode of Ice Guardians Podcast, Chase recalled Butcher even bringing up Grimson’s parents. The Blues captain took a jibe at the Blackhawks enforcer and questioned his parents’ intelligence for naming him Stu.
Although Butcher was instigating a fight for himself, Chase revealed he still ended up fighting Grimson instead.
“[Butcher] just starts giving it to him, ‘Hey, did you ever think your parents named you Stu because they weren’t smart enough to spell stupid?’ Chase said. “The [expletive] that was coming out of your mouth. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ And then I ended up having to fight him once.”
Despite all that, the former Blues enforcer looks back fondly at his experience as Butcher’s teammate.
Butcher Tells Former Blues Teammates He Embraced Villain Role
Butcher also chimed in and told Chase and former teammate Brett Hull that he embraced the villain role.
The former Blues captain revealed that he took great pride in being hated by fans as a visiting player. Butcher understood his role and thrived off of the energy from the opposing fans booing him.
“Fans hated me and I took a lot of pride in the fans hating me in every visit,” Butcher told Ice Guardians Podcast. “When I was in junior all the way through pro. And it was like, ‘I don’t think they hate me enough here. What am I going to do? I got to do something special tonight.'”
Butcher went to great lengths in order to get a rise out of fans. That, in addition to his quick wit and personality, made him beloved by his teammates.
Kelly Chase Recalls Wild Banter Between Ex-Blues Captain and Blackhawks Enforcer