Arriving at the Motorpoint Arena in the run-up to Christmas 2024, Nottingham Panthers netminder, Jason Grande (image courtesy of @PanthersImages) found himself quickly thrust into the spotlight.

At the start of 2025 the Panthers, who had both Hunter Vorva and Ryan Bednard between the pipes during the first half of the season, quickly saw a change in personnel, one which saw Vorva having to return home, and Bednard injured.

That left Grande, and back-up Luca Sheldon, as the only two, qualified netminders in Nottingham, with the former having spent a good five years or so playing the NCAA College league, before moving to Slovakia for the first half of the current campaign, donning the pads and gloves for HC Nove Zamky, in the south-west Nitra Region.

Of late the Panther had enjoyed a lengthy winning streak, prior to a quick-fire brace of defeats; those however were brushed aside this past Valentine’s Weekend with a four-point, double-header success, against Midlands rivals, Coventry Blaze.

Speaking to the Nottingham Sport the young netminder said of his arrival in the East Midlands that; “It’s been good and I’ve adjusted well since coming here.

“The guys here have made things pretty easy for me so the transition of moving from a different country was as smoothly as it can be and I feel that’s transcended onto the ice, for the most part, starting off here.

“You never like to get two losses back-to-back but I think we have a level head here and we know that we can’t win every game so we went on a run, then lost a few games, but your head has to be on right and just get back to it and try to keep winning, doing the little things along the way.”

Valentine’s Weekend would see the Panthers register those consecutive wins, 6-2 (Saturday at the Motorpoint) and Sunday (6-4 at the SkyDome), a quick return to winning ways after their eight-game winning streak was ended by Glasgow Clan, then a Challenge Cup semi-final, first leg loss, to Belfast Giants.

Sitting third in the Elite League standings, seven points behind leaders Belfast Giants with a game in hand (a point off second place Sheffield Steelers), those victories were, in a way, must-win for the Panthers.

“It was good and I think the team played really well and I didn’t have too much action,” insisted Grande, following the home clash of the Blaze double-header.

“Defensively, we were really tight, and also had a lot of scoring chances, which the guys were able to capitalise on.

“We made a pretty good look not as capable of doing what we know they can do.”

Although the Panthers have recently added a fourth netminder to the ranks, Grande also spoke of the bond there is between himself, Bedrand, and Sheldon, a bond which can only benefit the Panthers throughout the remainder of the season.

“Yes, it’s really good with us and it’s a pretty close group of goalies,” admitted Grande.

“Luca cracks a lot of jokes which brings us all together, so it’s always good having someone like him about.

“Whilst Bedz (Bedrand) is a good guy and really good to compete with whilst obviously being a good goalie himself.”

The Nottingham Panthers host(ed) Guildford Flames on Wednesday (19 February), before a weekend double-header first, away to Sheffield Steelers (Saturday 22), and home to Manchester Storm the following night (Sunday 23); they are then quickly followed by the Challenge Cup semi-final, second leg, on Wednesday 26 February, at the Motorpoint.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @PanthersIHC Netminder Jason Grande is enjoying life as a Panther.