Grant Stevenson

Grant Stevenson (born October 15,1981 in Spruce Grove, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey player, currently playing right wing for the Atlanta Thrashers. He is the grandson of NHL Hall of Famer Glenn Hall.

College and Junior career

After winning the "player of the year" award with the Spruce Grove Midget AAA team, Stevenson joined Bonnyville of the AJHL for the 1999–2000 season. He recorded 20 and 38 assists in 63 games in his rookie season and was his team's "rookie of the year". He also played in the AJHL Prospects Game. In 2000–2001, Stevenson played for Grande Prairie and improved on his totals with 22 goals and 67 assists in 62 games, and he played in the AJHL All-Star game.

Recruited by Minnesota State University, Mankato for the 2001–2002 season, Stevenson finished 8th in WCHA Rookie Scoring with 8 goals and 8 assists in 38 games, winning "rookie of the week" twice. Breaking out next year as the highest scoring sophomore in the nation with 27 goals and 36 assists in 38 games, Stevenson was second on the team and 5th in the nation in scoring. Consequently, Stevenson garnered many weekly honors and was named to the WCHA First All-Star Team.

Leaving college two years early, Stevenson signed with San Jose Sharks as a free agent on April 18, 2003.

Pro career

In 2003–2004, his first pro season, Stevenson posted 39 (13 + 26) points in 71 games for the Cleveland Barons, and also recorded seven assists in nine playoff games. Playing with former MSU-Mankato teammate Shane Joseph signed to a PTO contract March 15, Stevenson garnered five goals and 11 assists in 14 games. Stevenson's powerful chemistry with Joseph helped earn him a contract with the Barons' NHL team, the San Jose Sharks. Stevenson, however, failed to make significant progress the following season; playing poorly for the Barons, Stevenson was demoted to the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL, where he finished the 2004–2005 season with 14 goals, and 25 assists in 77 games.

Following his "sophomore slump," Stevenson worked out hard in the summer to gain more strength and speed. His efforts seemed to pay off, as he rebounded with 16 points in 17 games for the Barons in 2005–2006 before being called up to San Jose on November 23, 2005. Stevenson finished his first NHL season with 10 goals and 12 assists in 47 games. Despite his decent stats as an NHL rookie, Stevenson did not play an NHL game the following season, partly due to the emergence of other young San Jose forwards.

In July 2007, Stevenson signed with the Calgary Flames as a free agent.

Awards

*1998–1999: Spruce Grove's Midget AAA-Player of the Year
*1999–2000: Bonneyville's Rookie of the Year
*1999–2000: AJHL Prospect Game
*2000–2001: Grande Prairie's Top Forward
*2000–2001: AJHL All-Star Game.
*2002–2003: WCHA First All-Star Team
*2002–2003: Jofa Second All-American Team.

Career statistics

				Regular Season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2003–04	Cleveland Barons	AHL		71	13	26	39	45		--	--	--	--	--
2004–05	Cleveland Barons	AHL		77	14	25	39	70		--	--	--	--	--
2005–06	Cleveland Barons	AHL		17	8	8	16	8		--	--	--	--	--
2005–06	San Jose Sharks	NHL		47	10	12	22	14		--	--	--	--	--

External links

* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=62896 Stevenson's stats] at hockeydb.com
* [http://www.sjsharks.com/team/player.asp?player_id=30| Profile on Stevenson] at sjsharks.com
* [http://www.sjsharks.com/news/news.asp?story_id=1908|"Stevenson Called up from Cleveland"]