Defenceman Grant Jennings played within his means and used his size to be a useful role player in nearly 400 NHL games. He kept his game simple by playing the body and moving the puck up to the forwards with crisp passes.
The native of Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, helped anchor the defence corps of the junior Saskatoon Blades for two years. Following his second year of junior he signed as a free agent with the Washington Capitals. Jennings spent his first three pro seasons in the IHL and AHL and then dressed for one playoff game with the Caps in 1988.
Following a trade to the Hartford Whalers, Jennings received his first chance to play regularly in the NHL. Late in the 1990-91 season he was acquired by the offensive-minded Pittsburgh Penguins who wanted a more physical presence on their blueline. This situation was a perfect fit for Jennings, as he was steady influence in his own end and won consecutive Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992.
Jennings continued to play on the Pens' defensive brigade for another two and a half seasons before he was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 1995 trading deadline. He signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Sabres at the start of the next season where he played his last six NHL contests. Jennings toiled in the minors for three years before retiring in 1998.
