Delaware cashes in with Canadian Grant

BY KATE TOWNSLEY

Staff Reporter

He's the most talked-about addition to the Delaware men's lacrosse team's offensive lineup. He is a member of the Canadian national team and is considered to be the top recruit ever signed to join the Delaware lacrosse program.

Ironically, six-foot, 206 pound John Grant states through a subtle Canadian accent, "I'm still trying to learn the game."

Looking from under his white baseball cap, his sparkling blue-green eyes gaze out the window.

"I miss my friends, my family and hockey," Grant says. "Oh, and I miss the weather." Although today was nice," he says, enjoying the unseasonable afternoon snow flurry.

Grant's hometown is 10 hours away in Peterborough, Ontario, where he is one of the top box lacrosse players in Canada.

He found his way to Newark with the help of Delaware Assistant Coach Andy Shay. Shay was Grant's coach at Morrisville Junior College in upstate New York in 1995.

"I always planned on going to Syracuse," says Grant, crossing his arms and leaning back into the plastic framed chair.

"That didn't work out," he continues. "Then coach Shay came here, and he helped me out."

Delaware head coach Bob Shillinglaw admits that he never watched Grant play before signing him at Delaware.

"My assistants watched him play and thought he was really good. Fortunately, I took their word on it,"

There are many differences, however, between box and field lacrosse that Grant feels he still has much to learn about.

"I don't use my right hand. All of the guys here switch hands, and I am trying to work on that.

"Also, there are no long sticks in box lacrosse. The goals are different. The whole game is different," Grant says.

Shillinglaw attributes Grant's accurate shot partly to the fact that he has been a box player and is used to shooting on 4'x4' goals instead of 6'x6'.

"He has a really good shot," junior goalie, Ron Jedlicka says. "He is probably best on the team with accuracy. He is so strong when he goes lefty that it's so hard to stop him. It's over once he's started to go."

Humbly, Grant claims, "I'm still adjusting from playing box lacrosse to field lacrosse."

"That's been the hardest part. I'm used to one style, and it's hard to try to play another. It's a day-by-day thing. Some days are easier than others."

However, when Delaware played Maryland in a pre-season scrimmage two weekends ago, Grant dazzled the fans with a spectacular display of goal-scoring that appeared to be ever-so-easy to the 23-year-old lacrosse phenom.

The defending national championship finalists put there best defender on Grant with hopes of controlling him.

Grant seemed to be toying with his defender and the goalie the entire game as he scored seven goals and added three assists.

In the team's first regulation game against Fairfield University last weekend, Grant contributed two goals and two assists.

"I took fifteen shots, says Grant, looking down at the table in front of him. "I kept hitting the goalie and the crossbar. I was a little disappointed with myself, but I'm just glad our team won."

As for his performance against Maryland, Grant says with a still serious face, "I was generally pleased with my performance. I tend to be a little hard on myself," he adds, finally cracking a smile.

Showing a lighter side to his personality, Grant reveals that along with being hard on himself, he tends to be a bit superstitious as well.

"I don't like to put my sticks underneath the bus with the rest of the team's. But if I don't play well I throw them in the bottom of the bus to punish them," Grant says still smiling.

Although Grant and his sticks are guaranteed to be a scoring powerhouse for the team this year, Shillinglaw states that this is by no means going to be a one man team.

"Teams will throw their best defense man on him and he opens up a lot of room for our other players to play," Shillinglaw says.

According to Shillinglaw, the team has a tremendous amount of depth this year. When a team focuses on eliminating Grant from the game it leaves space for players such as Jim Bruder, who is currently ranked as one of the top 15 middies in the country, and Kevin Lavey who is a pre-season All- American selection.

"The best thing about having a player like John is that the other teams can't just worry about marking him, because we have so many weapons," adds Jedlicka. "They'll try to put their top defenders on him to stop him, and if they don't he'll show his stuff."

As for the stress of knowing every team is out to attempt to stop him, Grant is modestly unaware that such a pressure exists.

"I think a few of the coaches from other teams might know about me, but I'm not really sure," says Grant, sincerely.

"He was one of the most highly recruited players," adds Shillinglaw. "Everyone knows about John."

When asked about his goals for the season, Grant says he is focused on this weekend. The men will take on Hofstra at home Saturday in the stadium.

"I'm looking forward to playing Hofstra this weekend, they are picked to win our conference, and I am looking forward to playing in the stadium."

Looking further into the future, Grant admits that he feels the team has a good chance at making the NCAA tournament. "That would be goal number one," adds Grant.

As for himself, Grant plans on graduating from Delaware in three years with a degree in physical education. Unfortunately for the program, Grant's NCAA eligibility will be up after next season due to his participation while at junior college.

For the meantime, Grant will undoubtedly be a well appreciated addition to the Delaware men's lacrosse team.

However, according to Grant, he is here to learn.

"Americans are the best field lacrosse players in the world," says the modest Canadian. "I have so much to work on and so much to learn,"