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Old Linemates Reunited in Saginaw

February 1, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) - Belleville Bulls News Release


To Jake Grimes it feels like it was yesterday. The Bulls' Assistant Coach had opportunity to catch up with old linemate Darren McCarty prior to Friday night's game in Saginaw as the two swapped stories and reminisced over their junior days in Belleville. McCarty and Grimes were both fourth round picks by the Bulls in the 1989 OHL Draft at the Herb Carnegie Arena in Etobicoke. McCarty went 50th overall and Grimes 51st as the two would form a dangerous offensive combination in the years to follow.

At their peak, Grimes and McCarty both had over 100 points playing alongsideBrent Gretzky in the 1991-92 season. Grimes had 44 goals and 69 assists in 66 games and was drafted by the Ottawa Senators. He'd go on to play minor pro in the Ottawa system before a back injury cut his career short in 1995. He's currently in his tenth season behind the bench in Belleville.

McCarty was a 1992 CHL First-Team All-Star, racking up 55 goals, 72 assists and 127 points in 65 games. He was a second round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings and went on to spend evelen seasons in the Motor City, winning four Stanley Cup Championships. McCarty retired in 2009 after 14 pro seasons.

"It's amazing how much hockey he's played and how much I've coached since we played together," Grimes said of the occasion. "There's so much to talk about, so many stories to tell and so much that comes back to you when you get together with an old teammate."

"Looking back, junior hockey really is something special," Grimes continued. "It's fascinating to see how we go from being kids playing hockey together to now having families and being able to look back on our careers."

McCarty was in Saginaw on Friday signing his new book, "My Last Fight: The True Story of a Hockey Rock Star." The new release features lots of old Bulls stories playing under Head Coach Larry Mavety in the early 1990's.

The Bulls wrap up their Western Conference road swing on Saturday night in Plymouth at 7:05pm.

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