DARTMOUTH, N.S. – St. Stephen Aces goaltender Jack Grant is the 2017-18 scholastic player of the year in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).
The award is presented to a worthy recipient in each member league of the Canadian Junior A Hockey League. As this year’s winner, the son of former Western Capital Brent Grant and Summerside native Kelly Grant (nee Gallant), will receive a $1,000 bursary courtesy of RBC. Grant will automatically qualify as a finalist for the $5,000 national award, which will be presented to player judged to be the top student athlete in the CJHL.
“The MHL and our teams can never stress enough the importance we place on education for our players,” MHL president Brian Whitehead explained. “As we continually strive to be a league of choice for players in our region, we also recognize the importance of having out players graduate from the league as well-rounded individuals. The MHL congratulates Jack Grant on this well-deserved award.”
Grant, a 19-year-old from Fredericton, recently completed his second full season in the MHL, and first with the Aces. Despite a 10-24-1 (won-lost-overtime losses) record for the rebuilding Aces, Grant was arguably his team’s top performer on a consistent basis. He recorded an .898 save percentage and one shutout on the season, a year in which he averaged nearly 40 shots against per 60 minutes played.
Classroom
In the classroom, Grant can lay claim to numerous accomplishments. He took home highest academic average honors both in his Grade 10 and 12 years at Fredericton’s Leo Hayes High School. During his Grade 10 and 11 years, Grant achieved a grade of 91 percent or higher in 16 of his 17 courses over that time period.
In addition, he has made a positive impact on his recently adopted hockey home. Between devoting time to such initiatives as the St. Stephen Chamber of Commerce, St. Stephen Minor Hockey, the Edge Above Skating Program and the breakfast program at a local elementary school, just to name a few, Grant’s dedication to the game, classroom and community has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“Our organization strives to make education a priority during the hockey season, and we congratulate Jack on this accomplishment,” said Aces team vice-president Chris Horne. “Jack’s dedication to his on-ice development and off-ice education make him an ideal candidate for this award. The entire Aces organization is proud of him for this accomplishment.”
Grant will be honoured with a formal presentation at a later date.
