NLL Colorado Mammoth

Grant Returns to Rochester

Published on March 29, 2012 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - For a decade, forward John Grant Jr. was the Rochester Knighthawks. The number one overall pick in the 1999 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. The NLL's Rookie of the Year in 2000. Three seasons of 50-plus goals. Three seasons of 100-plus points. Three straight NLL scoring titles. The league MVP, the Champion's Cup Final MVP, and the league title in 2007. A key to the city. A perennial all-pro. And then, in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

On October 27, 2010, Grant and defenseman Mac Allen were shipped to the Colorado Mammoth in one of the biggest off-season trades in league history. On Saturday, they return to Blue Cross Arena in central New York for the first time.

"It's going to mean a lot, going back to the place where I basically played my whole career," said Grant. "I'm going to try not to think about it any extra, but obviously, in the back of my mind, this game's pretty important."

Colorado owns the league's best record (9-3) and was the first team to clinch a playoff berth. Now, the Mammoth is playing to secure home-field advantage.

"I'm sure I'll reminisce," admitted Grant. "The whole time I'm back there, I've got to decide: do I go back to the restaurants that I would eat at on game-days that would make me play better? Would I stick to the same rituals? I've got to forget about all that stuff and concentrate on the 2012 Mammoth and do whatever I can to help us get a "˜W'."

He's been the ultimate helper so far this season. In fact, the 37-year-old leads the NLL in goals (40) and points (87), and is on pace to break the league's single-season points record. When the teams met at Pepsi Center in January, Grant had three goals including the game-winner in the fourth quarter; he also added four assists. On Saturday, he hits the Rochester turf for the first time as a visiting player.

"Hopefully the game, going back there, will be memorable for me as we get a big win," said the lefty.

After all, in a place he "called home for 10 years", that's about all Grant did in Rochester. Win.

The Mammoth-Knighthawks game will air live on TV on Altitude Sports & Entertainment this Saturday, March 31 at 11:05am MT.

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