Corner Brook -
Jim Grant's passion for hockey helped him carve his niche in Newfoundland and Labrador hockey circles.
The Corner Brook businessman will be recognized for his contribution to the game when he is inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Hockey Hall of Fame in the athlete/builder category at an Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador awards banquet June 5 in Gander.
Grant, who turns 69 July 4, was a strong skater who could stickhandle in a phone booth whether he was playing in the college circuit with the University of New Brunswick or senior hockey with the Corner Brook Royals.
He was surprised when he received word he was heading for the Hall of Fame.
"I knew I had been nominated, but gave absolutely no thought to it because I can think of so many other players who probably played a lot longer than I did and so on and so forth," Grant said earlier this week after returning from his winter home in Sarasota, Fla.
Grant is thrilled with the honour because he knows not every player who deserves to be inducted gets the call. He actually nominated his former teammate Ed (Hound) O'Quinn seven years ago and he didn't get the nod.
"There are a lot of good hockey players that just haven't been in there I guess somebody just haven't taken the initiative of nominating them," he said.
Grant, who was born in St. John's but moved to the city at the age of five, didn't leave the game without first winning a Herder Memorial Trophy - the most coveted trophy among senior hockey players in this province.
He was a fresh-faced 21-year-old when the Royals downed the CeeBees in the Herder showdown back in 1962.
"When I think of the Herder the first thing I remember was the first game when we got in the final ... I was on the ice ... I was so nervous I could hardly skate. I can always remember that," he said.
Injuries sustained
While it was a thrill to be crowned champions, Grant doesn't forget the disappointment that came with it. In Game 3 of the series, Grant tore tendons in his wrist and missed the remainder of the series after he was on the receiving end of a hit from George Faulkner.
"If you look at the (team) pix I wasn't there. I was in St. John's getting my wrist attended to," he said.
While his contribution to the game as a player is worthy of induction, Grant's impact on the game as a builder is even more impressive. His interest in coaching came to fruition when he was pursuing his physical education degree at the University of New Brunswick (UNB).
He did coaching courses as part of his degree and things just flourished from there, starting with a two-year stint running the minor hockey program for the Avalon School Board upon graduation. He spent three years teaching in Churchill Falls and during that tenure was the driving force behind getting Churchill Falls under the umbrella of the Newfoundland Amateur Hockey Association (now known as Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador). He eventually made the journey back home to Corner Brook where he made his mark on the Corner Brook Minor Hockey Association with his coaching and program planning expertise.
He managed to lead Corner Brook to a provincial Bantam A hockey championship and guided three Corner Brook midget all-star teams to the national championship along the way. He also coached the Corner Brook Royals for a couple of seasons after a one-year stint as a player/coach.
John Meaghan, a hockey instructor Grant met while playing with UNB, is the person who had the biggest influence on his hockey exploits.
"Its surprising that when you learn the game it's easier to play," he said. "He taught me so much about the game, positional stuff and whatever, and of course I carried it over into my coaching in minor hockey. But I have to say he was the biggest influence on me in all the years I played."
Looking back
Looking back on his career, Grant will always cherish the many life-time friendships he formed with both teammates and opposing players.
"You play with so many people and you get to know them," he said. "Even now, I'm almost 69 and I'm meeting people that I played with both here and on the mainland. As a matter of fact a guy called me about a month ago down Florida and came down to see me. I played university hockey with him. So it's lifetime friendships is what you make.
"When you are playing hockey competitively it's a bit serious you don't associate with them, but when it's all over you talk about the past and the memories."
Grant didn't give up the game until he was 65. Why would you when something provides you with so much?
"I got to say that every moment I played I loved it. I can't say enough," he said. "I talked to guys who are playing now in their 30s and they're saying they're going to quit and I tell them 'don't be so foolish because the social aspect of it, you know making friends, is worth staying there for'. I can't say enough about the game."
Grant will attend the induction ceremony with his wife Maria by his side.
