Date Posted: April 11, 2011
Print Edition: April 8, 2011
Abbotsford kid drafted by the Senators, hopes to play in the NHL
By Ali Siemens (Staff Writer) – Email
Derek Grant was born in Abbotsford almost 21 years ago, standing at six-foot-three and weighing in at 190 pounds; Grant’s recent hockey success have made his hometown proud. Receiving a scholarship to Michigan State University in 2008, Grant left Abbotsford to pursue his dreams of making it big. Mostly playing left wing, but occasionally filling in as a centre or right wing, Grant was 18 when he was first drafted. In 2008, during the fourth round of the NHL Entry Draft, Grant was selected by the Ottawa Senators. Grant is almost done his education at Michigan State, and from there, Abbotsford will have a new hockey hero to cheer for. Checking in with Grant, he filled me in with his latest news and how he got where he is today.
What are you most proud of in your hockey career right now?
I am most proud of being drafted and signing a pro-contract with the Ottawa Senators.
Have your goals changed since you have been in Michigan state?
I don’t think my goals have changed; I still want to play in the NHL. I think when I was younger it was “I want to get drafted.” Once I was drafted it was about “earning a contract.” Now that I have that, it has been about earning a spot in the line-up in Ottawa. That’s my ultimate goal.
I think your goals are shaping up nicely. What are you doing while waiting to start playing for the Senators?
I am currently finishing out the year with their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. After my sophomore year at Michigan State, I decided to sign a contract with Ottawa and turn pro, and then I came to Binghamton a few days after we were knocked out of the playoffs. Next year I will attend the training camp and try to earn a spot in Ottawa (but I will likely start the year in the AHL again.)
I’m sure Michigan State has had a big influence on your skills, is that fair to say?
Michigan State has helped me a lot and prepared me for the jump into pro hockey; also, since I have been here in Binghamton, I have also learned a lot.
Have you learned most of your hockey skills in Abbotsford?
I learned a lot of what I know now from minor hockey and spring hockey back home. I still train in Abbotsford in the summers as well. I go to the rink everyday, no matter where I am; I’m always learning. But, back in Abbotsford, I think every year was a little different in how it helped me. Abbotsford has always had a very good hockey program. Growing up with high calibre players always pushed me to do better. We always had a good team and could compete with the other top players in the province.
Did you have a particular coach in Abbotsford that influenced you?
I had several coaches, but the one that has helped me the most has been Brad Bowen. I started playing for him when I was about eight-years-old, and I still train with him when I come home in the summers.
Were your coaches always the ones who provided you with the best advice?
Probably my parents. They were always telling me to work harder than the guys I was playing with or against. I was a lot smaller than most players when I was younger and was often overlooked.
What have been some of your biggest obstacles?
Moving away from home was definitely tough, but we had a really close team my freshman year of college which helped out a lot… When you start to play junior hockey it begins to become a job; you are at the rink nearly every day. While in college one of the biggest challenges was time management and making sure I was organized. Now playing professionally, one of the most important challenges is taking care of [my] body.
How would you sum up your experience, Derek?
It has been an unbelievable experience. I am lucky to have had the opportunities that I have had.
