Small town hockey hero honoured

Times Reporter

 

On December 12, hockey players who were at the Standard Arena had a chance to skate with the Chilliwack Bruins and see a former Standard resident honoured. Colton Grant is a name that was once well known in the area when it comes to hockey.  His illustrious career followed, and some Standard residents still keep track of the boy they are sure will be a professional player. 

“Colton’s a big hockey name in this area,” said Steve O’Neill, manager of the Standard Arena. 

“A presentation was made on ice and they retired the sweater and it’s going to be put in a glass frame case. We’re going to find a nice spot for it here in the arena so it can be viewed by all that come in.” 

Grant wore #12 for the Chilliwack Bruins, and that is the jersey which will be hung in the arena. Every year on a road trip, the Bruins stop in a small town and skate with the kids. Grant said from playing with them last year they knew he was from a small town and so they decided to stop in Standard for the day. 

“Our head coach Marc Habscheid kind of surprised me. He presented me with the jersey and stuff like that and they’re hanging it up in the Standard rink,” said Grant. 

He wanted to spread thanks to all of the kids and parents who made it out to the arena on Dec. 12. 

“They made the event happen and I know Chilliwack had an awesome time, all of the players and stuff.”

Grant began playing hockey when he was four-years-old. He said his dad and his brother are all about hockey all the time, and that it was inevitable that he would start playing the game too. Grant spent three years playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers before being traded to the Bruins. Grant has finished his WHL junior hockey career, and he said his education has been pretty much paid for by them. He is currently taking open studies at the University of Calgary and playing for their hockey team.  

“So I’m kind of just taking advantage of that, going to university. After university maybe see what happens as far as playing pro and stuff but either way I got Plan B now,” said Grant.

What Plan B is Grant isn’t sure yet. He is confident he has time to figure it out. For him, playing hockey for a living would be a dream come true. 

“We’ll see how it works out. Sometimes it’s not the best fit for everybody. If an opportunity comes along, especially when I’m done school, I’ll definitely take a shot at it. We’ll see what happens, and if not, I gave it my best shot,” said Grant.