Remember Brent Jarrett?

By Randy Russon
November 19, 2024
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He would become the epitome of an unlikely standout at the Ontario Hockey League level with the Soo Greyhounds and Windsor Spitfires — and then in the minor pro ranks with the iconic Kalamazoo K-Wings. Not only did Brent Jarrett become a scoring legend in Windsor but he will soon have the no. 11 jersey that he wore for Kalamazoo retired.

In 1977, Jarrett was seemingly at his peak as an 18 year old with his hometown Soo Thunderbirds of the erstwhile International Jr. B Hockey League. However, in a twist of fate, the Soo Greyhounds, who were short on players, called the small center up to the OHL for what was supposed to be only a few games.

But Jarrett would never return to the Jr. B level, becoming an OHL standout instead.

After parts of two seasons with the Greyhounds, for whom he averaged close to a point per game, Jarrett was traded to Windsor for fellow center Dave Hannan, who had fallen out of favour with Spitfires coach-general manager Wayne Maxner. Under Maxner, Jarrett became an OHL superstar in Windsor.

In parts of two seasons with the Spitfires — including an overage campaign — Jarrett busted loose for 44 goals, 124 assists, 168 points in only 90 games. With speed to burn and a peppery attitude, Jarrett earned his place as one of the more productive Spitfires in franchise history. But his hockey journey was far from over.

After a National Hockey League tryout with the Detroit Red Wings, the pint sized pivot was assigned to the Kalamazoo K-Wings, who were then members of the old International Hockey League. As was the case when he was an assist making machine in the OHL, providing the helper was the strongest part of Jarrett’s game across six seasons in a Kalamazoo uniform — ’81-82, ’83-87, ’88-89 — and he took that same mentality into his post playing career after deciding to stay in Kalamazoo to raise his family and assist numerous hockey programs.

And now, the K-Wings will lift his No. 11 jersey to the rafters at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo on Jan. 18, 2025.

“It is the ultimate honour in hockey to have your number retired,” the now 65-year old Jarrett said. “Yet, it’s so much more special, for me, that my number is with my teammates.”

Jarrett’s No. 11 will join goalie Georges Gagnon’s No. 1, Tyler Willis’ No. 13, Mike Wanchuk’s No. 22, Kevin Schamehorn’s No. 26, and Neil Meadmore’s No. 27 as K-Wings who have had their numbers retired.

If there was ever a question as to whether Jarrett’s contributions deserve the franchise’s highest honour, here is where he sits over 33 years after hanging up the skates. Jarrett, who is Kalamazoo’s all-time assists leader with 307, sits No. 2 in single season points (122) and assists (82), ranks no. 5 in career points (421), is no. 13 in games played (369) and no. 14 in goals scored (114). Jarrett also averaged an astounding 1.14 points per game as a K-Wing to go along with four 70 plus point campaigns.

“Brent was a magician with his hockey stick, it was like a magic wand,” noted aforementioned goalie Georges Gagnon, who, like Jarrett is now 65 years old and not only a former K-Wing, but a former OHL Spitfire as well.

Standing in at a tad over 5 foot 8, Jarrett was regularly one of the smaller players on the ice. But that didn’t stop him from being a pesky performer as well.

“He played bigger than his size,” Gagnon said. “Brent wasn’t afraid to take on anybody, he used his stick well on defense as well as offense.”

Jarrett wasn’t afraid to mix things up, racking up 404 penalty minutes in a K-Wings uniform — something many could attest to.

“He was one of the players that everyone in the league hated, but wanted on their team. He was pesky,” said Steve Doherty, K-Wings Wall of Honour member and former front office guru.

When taking on bigger players, though, the more imposing, 6 foot 4 Meadmore recalled cleaning up after Jarrett … often.

“He wasn’t the biggest guy around but he wouldn’t walk away from a fight either,” Meadmore said. “Brent got me into some fisticuffs several times over the years.”

Jarrett’s tendency for instigating was clear to all who watched him play, Pam Shebest, long-time K-Wings beat writer recalled.

“He was kind of like a gnat, opposing players tried to shake him off but he was always right there in the mix of things,” Shebest said.

Quite clearly, Jarrett’s commitment to Kalamazoo, and fervor for the game of hockey, have earned him the honour that will be bestowed in a few months, on Jan. 18.

“He played the game and contributed to the community with a lot of heart and passion, and I am looking forward to that day,” Meadmore said. “Brent deserves to take his place among the K-Wings greats.”

Not bad for a kid from Sault Ste. Marie who first made the OHL with his hometown Greyhounds because of a player shortage and then continued his major junior career as a fan favourite and point producing pepper pot for the Spitfires of Windsor.

Not bad. Not bad at all. Take a bow, Brent Jarrett.

— with files from Collin Murphy