Derek Grant Named CCM/AHL Player of the Month for January
Stockton, Calif. – The American Hockey League announced today that Stockton Heat center Derek Grant has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Month for January.
Grant scored 10 goals and added 9 assists for 19 points in just 10 games during the month of January. He had three two-goal games, all wins for the Stockton Heat, six multi-point efforts and two four-point nights. Grant had a goal and 3 assists performance in a 7-4 win over the Iowa Wild and he also recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in a 4-2 win over the Bakersfield Condors at home in the Heat’s January finale. With Grant in the lineup, the Heat went 8-1-1-0 during January.
The native of Abbotsford, BC set a career-best seven game point streak from New Year’s Eve to January 17 where he recorded 6 goals and 6 assists. Two of Grant’s 10 goals in January were game winning goals, including an OT winner on January 27 at home against Ontario and on the final game of January at Stockton Arena against the Bakersfield Condors. He also scored the shootout game winner on January 22 against Manitoba, also at home.
Grant is second in the AHL with 21 goals in just 28 games played and is tied for ninth in the AHL with 36 points. He’s matched his career high in goals which was set as a member of the Binghamton Senators last year and is just two back of his career mark in assists (17) and points (38) also set last season. He leads his team in goals and points and is tied for the team lead in assists with 15. Grant also leads the Heat with 12 multi-point games, seven of which were multi-goal games.
The 25-year-old was named to the 2016 Toyota AHL All-Star Classic in Syracuse, receiving the honor for the first time in his career. During the Skills Competition on January 31, Grant won the CCM Fastest Skater event with a time of 14.307 and helped the Western Conference prevail with the 19-14 win. The following day during the All-Star Challenge Grant was tied for the Pacific Division lead in goals (2) and points (3).
Grant has also suited up in 9 games for the Calgary Flames this season.
In recognition of his achievement, Grant will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Heat home game.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Month
The Heat head on the road to San Diego and Bakersfield but return home on February 13 and 14 to host the Ontario Reign and San Antonio Rampage. It’s Emile Poirier bobblehead night on Saturday, February 13 where the first 500 children 12-years and younger will receive a bobblehead featuring the Calgary Flames first round pick in 2013 and on Sunday, February 14, the first 1,000 fans will receive a team photo featuring the inaugural season’s opening night roster.
For tickets call 209.373.1500 or visit StocktonHeat.com.
