Michigan State University Athletics
Grant Named National Rookie of the Month
11/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 6, 2009
East Lansing, Mich. - Spartan icer Derek Grant, has been named the HCA National Rookie of the Month for October. Grant was the nation's top-scoring rookie in the first month of the season.
Grant began the season on a six-game scoring streak and ranks first among CCHA freshmen with 10 points, including four goals and six assists. His numbers put him in a tie for top-scoring rookie honors in the nation. Grant has done the majority of his scoring on the Spartans' power play, registering three goals and four helpers. His 1.25 points-per game average is fourth best nationally among rookies who have appeared in more than one game.
The Abbotsford, British Columbia, native and Ottawa Senators 2008 NHL draft pick was named CCHA Rookie of the Week on Oct. 12 after registering two goals and two assists in Michigan State's sweep of Clarkson to open the season. Grant added two assists in a 5-3 win at Maine to mark his third-consecutive multiple point game. He also registered a goal in the Spartans' 3-2 overtime win over No. 1 Miami, which was the RedHawks' fi rst loss of the season. Grant's play has helped MSU compile a 6-2-0 record in October, including a 3-1-0-0 mark in CCHA play, which had the Spartans tied for first place in the conference standings.
Grant had a power-play goal as MSU upset 10th-ranked Nebraska-Omaha on Thursday evening with a 3-0 shutout, and will look to close out the series with a win on Friday evening.
