When Jason Grande joined the Nottingham Panthers back in late December, few expected the American to break out as a standout candidate for netminder of the year.
After a difficult start to the season in Slovakia, it wasn’t locked in that the 26-year-old would become Danny Stewart’s starter – let alone an all-star performer.
But, in the quickly-flowing months since, Grande has authored one of the most impressive runs of individual form in recent memory – and leads the Elite League in save percentage (.948) and goals-against average (1.71) as a result.
The Panthers approach the final three weekends of the season with a credible shot at the title – they trail the league-leading Belfast Giants by just two points, with two make-or-break dates against the Giants yet to come.
On Thursday [20 March], Grande spoke exclusively with britishicehockey.co.uk – here is every word that he said.
Jason Grande: ‘When I joined, it wasn’t guaranteed that I’d play much’
It’s still fresh in the memory, so let’s start with the win over the Cardiff Devils – what was your perspective on the performance and result?
I thought we played really well as a team and focused on how we wanted to play and approach the game – and we need to replicate that for the remaining games of the season. But, at the end of the day, we played our game, got under their skin, and kept our composure.
Overall, it was a great team game for us.
Jason Grande, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
The Panthers have had a stacked schedule since you arrived in Nottingham – how have you found the flow of fixtures since joining in December?
That was our sixth week in a row with a game on Wednesday, with maybe one week off in between. We’re pretty used to it by now, but I’d say it was a little tough on the guys when we first began. Tough on our legs, for sure.
But, once we were able to adjust to the schedule, our performances have shown better results and I think it was just a matter of getting our legs under us for the Wednesday games and being able to respond at the weekend, too.
Jason Grande: ‘It was a no-brainer to come to Nottingham’
In your first three college seasons, you played 14 games in total. Then, in your final two years, you played 42 games and lifted your save percentage in the process. When you look back at that time, how do you reflect on your NCAA career?
I look at the first three years when I was in the NCAA as a good developmental process.
I know that some guys go into college and are able to play every game for four or five years straight – and then there are some guys that go in there and don’t get the chance [initially], but take over when they get the chance.
For me, the first three years were beneficial in my own way, developing my game in practice and just getting better every day. And then, in the next two years, I ended my career in college in a positive way.
After the NCAA and a few quick stops in the American Hockey League, you started this season in Slovakia with HC Nove Zamky – how did you find your time there, given it was a difficult period for the team and your first time playing overseas?
Yeah, it was definitely an interesting experience – obviously not an ideal situation, but it is what it is. For me, you just want to take the positives out of the situation.
It’s a really good league, with lots of good players there, and we weren’t the best team in the competition. But, at the end of the day, the chances and shots I faced helped me prepare for the chances and games I’m playing now.
I didn’t realise it at the time, but I can now see that it’s helped me to take a step forward.
In Slovakia, you played for a team at the bottom of the table, winning four games during your time there. Since then, you’ve joined a really competitive Nottingham team. When the opportunity to join the Panthers came about in December, what made you decide to come to the Elite League?
There weren’t many opportunities at the time – but it was a no-brainer to come to Nottingham, with the fans, the rink, and the city.
When I joined, we had Ryan Bednard and he’s obviously a great goalie – there wasn’t a guarantee that I would be playing many games at all. It happened in an unfortunate way, but I was just able to be ready when my name was called and I’ve just kept moving forward from there.
Jason Grande: ‘We’re all confident and we all know what’s at stake’
There’s been a lot of change in the crease in Nottingham this season – how has it been to come into the team midseason and very quickly become the starter?
Honestly, it was an easy transition – there’s a great group of guys here and they made it easy for me to focus on my game and how I’d want to be ready to show up for the team when I had the chance.
Unfortunately, Bednard had to leave. Now, we have Jere [Huhtamaa] here and he’s great as well. Luca Sheldon is a guy who keeps the group together, so he’s great to have too. I think we’ve really clicked well as a unit.
Jason Grande, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
How has playing in the Elite League compared to the perception you had of the competition before you arrived?
It’s a better level than I expected. I didn’t realise that the fanbases are all really solid and the atmosphere is great every night.
Before I joined Nottingham, Cardiff went to Slovakia and beat [Vlci Žilina] – but they weren’t one of the top teams in the league, so I was wondering how that would translate.
The level of competition in the Elite League is good – every team has players who can score and the goalies around this league are very good. Overall, it’s a good competition.
Jason Grande: ‘It’s easier when you’re playing for a guy who cares as much as you do’
The Panthers have five games left to play, including a back-to-back against the Belfast Giants on the final weekend of the season. How confident are you guys feeling about this title race?
We’re all really confident and we all know what’s at stake.
There isn’t much that needs to be said. We have five games left and we just need to show up every game, like we did against Cardiff, and hope that results go our way. If we keep that going, the last weekend of the season will be in our hands.
We know what’s at stake and we’re all getting prepared in ways that will help us win every game.
Finally, a question about your head coach. After almost a decade behind the bench in Coventry, Danny Stewart joined Nottingham last summer – what is he like to play under?
Danny Stewart, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
He’s a passionate coach, which we can all tell – it’s easier when you’re playing for a guy who cares as much as the players do.
He does a good job of getting us prepared every week and noticing different scenarios – like if the guys need an extra day [off] or a lighter practice.
I think he’s managing us really well right now. He has confidence in us and we have confidence in him. That’s a good relationship to have.
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