The former free agent finally will make his Amerks debut since being pick off waivers, after being lost on waivers.
By Ryan Harr
It’s been quite the year so far for forward Derek Grant. From signing with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent in the offseason, to making the team out of training camp and now a return trip back to the organization following a bizarre couple weeks and a pair of waiver claims.
Hoping to continue to build on his career year after scoring 27 goals in just 36 games with the Stockton Heat last season, Grant made the Sabres opening night roster. However, after 35 games with Buffalo, things did not work out as Grant had hoped. He was placed on the waiver wire on Jan. 11, and had the 26-year-old cleared, he would have reported to the Rochester Americans.
But the Nashville Predators put a successful claim on the fifth-year pro. After just six games in the Music City, Grant was again placed on waivers, and the Sabres in turn reclaimed him this week before reassigning him to the Amerks.
“It has been a crazy few weeks lately,” said Grant after his practice with the Amerks on Tuesday at Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex. “The process happens fast but I am really excited to be given another opportunity within the Sabres organization. I am glad to be in a place where I know the system and some of the guys as I played parts of the season with them in Buffalo or during training camp.”
During the 2015-16 season, Grant split his time with the Heat and the Calgary Flames. The 6-foot-3 forward appeared in 36 games with the Heat and established career-highs in goals (27), assists (18) and points (45).
“I am looking forward to continue the success I had last season with the Heat and hoping to contribute offensively again. I am also looking to continue to improve on my defensive game and other aspects of my game to get back to the NHL.”
Before playing within the Flames organization last year, Grant spent the six previous seasons with the Ottawa Senators and Binghamton Senators after being drafted in the fourth round (119th overall) during the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. While in Binghamton, Grant played with current Amerks leading point-scorer Cole Schneider as well as newcomer Patrick Mullen.
“I played with ‘Schneids’ for many seasons while we were members of Binghamton then with ‘Mully’ the last few seasons. It is great to come here where I’m familiar with the organization and two guys that I played with. I think that is only going to benefit my game.”
After being drafted by Ottawa in 2008, Grant immediately made a jump to the American Hockey League with Binghamton at the conclusion of his sophomore season. After playing in all 38 games with the Michigan State Spartans, the Abbotsford, British Columbia, native was fortunate enough to be part of the Senators Calder Cup Championship team. That team also featured the likes of up-and-coming goaltender Robin Lehner, who was named Playoff MVP that year for the Sens, before taking over the starting goaltending duties for the Sabres prior to the 2015-16 season.
“It was a great way to begin my professional career, that’s for sure,” said Grant. “Playing in the postseason is different than playing during the regular season but I think playing there before is something else I can bring to this young club.”
On the ice, Grant is not a very vocal guy, but one thing he strives is to be a leader by the way he plays or things he does.
“I think I can be a leader for the younger guys here. In my past I have been a rookie or second-year guy with veterans and they definitely helped evolve my game. Young guys might not openly ask for advice but they are usually watching. I feel I can help show them the right ways to do things and together we can have a good run as we move forward.”
Grant will have his first chance to do just that when he and the Amerks play host to the Albany Devils for their fifth annual “Donate Life Night” on Friday at 7:05 pm at the Blue Cross Arena.