| Grant Hindman | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | L | D | 6’0″ | 205 | Lake Superior | 2021 | Oakland, MI | 2002 | 2020-2021: College F/A |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, January 9, 2021: Grant plays a pro styled game and has a pro style frame that suits him well. Professional games are won in the corners and in front of the net. These are the areas of the ice where he excels. He just wins battles and 50/50 pucks are his. There’s no doubt that he has a long way to go, but I feel a pro coaching staff or an National League Development coach will really be drawn to the intangibles he brings and want to work with him.
USHL: NTDP 18s vs Youngstown, January 6, 2021: Hindman is a solid, competitive defenseman for the Phantoms that plays a physical style of hockey. The Lake Superior State commit showed his strength throughout the night, muscling NTDP players off the puck on the boards and in the corners. He was also good at reading the play, looking to step up and lay a big hit in open ice if the NTDP forwards had their heads down. Because of his ability to read the play, Hindman was able to quickly transition his team up the ice after turnovers by zipping crisp, hard passes to teammates flying his defensive zone. He was solid on the rush and when he kept his gap tight was able to shut down rush attacks before they could enter his zone. Grade: B+
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments: After seeing Grant play in the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament we feel that he has developed into a player National Hockey League teams should be tracking for the remainder of the season. (1) Brain – He reads line rushes well and has the ability to end rushes early. In the defensive zone Grant is patient, views the entire sheet and is very vocal when calling out commands to his linemates. On defensive zone face-offs he shows high awareness by pointing out the oppositions potential “plays”, who has one timers and is quick to help his center on 50-50 pucks. Offensively, he keeps it simple and quickly moves the puck to his forwards. (2) Vision & Poise – As a weakside defender in the defensive zone Grant is poised with without the puck. He is not a puck watcher and does not foolishly chase players into non-dangerous areas. He plays with his head on a swivel while looking for opposing defenseman crashing back door or forwards trying to find the soft areas. With the puck, Grant can find passing lanes quickly and distributes the puck on time to swinging forwards. In neutral zone transition Grant makes “quick ups” to his forwards or gains the red line by moving his feet. (3) Feet – We feel Grant shows overall improved quickness and lateral agility, but where we see real improvement is in his backwards skating ability. He is quick and powerful when moving off the offensive blue line to set his gap and opposing forwards do not catch him off guard with their speed. He has a natural powerful base that will only improve as he spends time training. (4) Compete & Effort – He is a high compete player who will do the little things that it takes to win. (5) Contact or Physicality – He is a bull who can over power opposing forwards. He enjoys contact and is a punishing body checker. When he makes contact, he is looking to knock you on your backside. (6) Release – He gets his shots through and they are easy to tip. His release is most evident during quick neutral zone transitions where he can receive a pass and get the puck into his forwards hands quickly without dusting it off while letting passing lanes close. (7) One Timer Ability – We have not seen Grant one time many pucks. (8) Body Language – It is easy to see that he carries himself like a leader and is enjoys competing. (9) Special Teams Potential – Grant will do whatever is necessary to kill a penalty. We do not see him as a consistent power play option in professional hockey. (10) Intangibles – Even as an 02 playing in the NAHL Grant carries himself like a leader. We feel that he has a chance to be a captain at Lake Superior State University. He has also showed improvements to all facets of his game in a relatively short period of time this season. Whoever drafts him will be getting a leader who is on the upswing.
NCAA Commitments, October 2019: Lake Superior State has high hopes coming off a 23-win season and the Lakers used some of that momentum to land 3.5-star defenseman Grant Hindman for 2021. An ’02, Hindman skated at USA Hockey’s Select 16 and Select 17 camp the last two seasons and is in his rookie season for the Janesville Jets (NAHL) after playing the last four seasons for Little Caesar’s in his home state of Michigan. “Grant is a solid player who plays a sound defensive game as he is aggressive and plays physical game on the opponent,” said our scouts. “He makes accurate passes and will lead the rush using his strong skating and stick handling skills.”
Michigan (MAHA) Festival 2002s, May 2019: Grant is a solid player who plays a sound defensive game as he is aggressive and plays physical game on the opponent. He makes accurate passes and will lead the rush using his strong skating and stick handling skills.
U16 USA Hockey Nationals, May 2019: Hindman is a big, thick defenseman who is tough around the net front, makes a firm first pass and plays a simple, honest defensive minded game. He absorbed checks from forecheckers and was able to maintain possession and move the puck and he was tough in the corners and behind the net with the ability to knock opponents off the puck. His skating is a bit stiff and he’ll need to improve his agility and lateral mobility but he’s tough to beat 1v1 given his strength and balance. He isn’t offensive but he can follow the play up ice and has a heavy presence on the offensive blue line.
NHL Midget Youth Cup, February 2019: Hindman plays a heavy, shut down style on the backend. He has a strong frame and a long, fluid stride that lets him get around the ice. He uses the net well in his own zone to protect the puck from forecheckers. He is strong and leans on forwards. Good feet, which are getting better and let him close of forwards. Kept solid gaps through the neutral zone and angles forwards to the perimeter of the rink. Heavy shot from the point that he releases quickly and accurately. Grade: B
T1EHL U16 Showcase Michigan, December 2018: Grant was very effective and solid on the blue for his club this weekend. He played a completely mistake-free, smart, crafty game. He is very smart and reads the play very well. Good feet and speed, and he has solid puck skills but did not show a whole lot offensively. Tight gaps, smooth transitions, just a rock-solid defensive performance. Grade: B
USA Hockey Select 16 National Development Camp, July 2018: Hindman is a strong skating, defensive defenseman out of Little Caesars U15 program. He is strong on his skates, he makes a firm first pass and plays physical in his own end. He uses his defensive partner well to go D to D and he absorbs his from forecheckers and maintains possession because of his strength and balance but he did fight the puck at times when he was pressured. Still made some crisp passes and fired some pucks on the net so there is some ability to build on there. His strength was in his defense. Showed an active defensive stick and defended his net. Did his job with some snarl and was tough to play against. He compiled 2 assists in 5 games here and will return to Little Caesars next season. Worth noting: Little Caesars was one of the top U15 programs in the country last year and Hindman, who was undrafted in the OHL/USHL/NAHL, served as their captain.
NHL Youth Cup U15, January 2018: Our first good look at him and Grant did some things that we liked. He has good size and strength. Can play through contact and was smart in his end. Worked hard and his shot is heavy and hard. Speed/strength combo makes him a player to watch as he gets more touches and experience at the U15 level.