Grant Clafton & Opinions

[factually]

Greetings Anew Hockey purists. I have not tuned in to your BS as I don't have time to sit around opining on things I have limited, or no, knowledge of. Having said that, I am jumping in at this point, as there are some things that I do know, and I have heard of the unjust persecution of a fine person.

First thing I know is hockey, and specifically Hibbing hockey. I have not spoken to Media, so I have no idea if he posted the points in favor of Grant, but all he said is accurate. You see, I also know Grant so I will try to clear up some of your misconceptions. For the malcontent who called him a "wannabe", he got his college education almost entirely free of cost, did you? And he would still be pursuing some sort of hockey playing endeavor had he not gotten hit from behind and broken his neck and back. So to say he washed out is not only untrue, but I would venture to say he went a lot further than the know-it-all who posted the comment.

I also happen to know that he has been helping the Hibbing program all season long at one level or another. Factually, he was working with the bantams and the varsity (both) at the same time, until he took full-time employment. I know because he came at my invitation.

Ole Pete has also been with the team all year, but it was decided that a good pair of eyes from above were needed more than on the bench. The PP, for those of you that know so much, has struggled all year and without any help from Mr Clafton. It is starting to show some life recently, however, as Ole Pete thought that maybe Grant should give it a try from a different approach. The players play!

And then there's the comment about the team starting to struggle when someone noticed Grant was there. Did anyone notice that this also happened to be when Hibbing's best defenseman was lost from an already thin core.

And how does somebody gain personally from coaching at that level. Would you suppose he is trying to build his resume so that next season he can take over the Gophers? Factually, he has been doing this because I asked him to and for love of the game.

I shouldn't do it as Mark doesn't know but here goes; the self-serving "wannabe" took the measley $125.00 he received for helping, and went out and purchased a composite hockey stick for Nick D. Now that's a sure sign of a "jerk" who is "in it for himself" and lousy to the kids if I ever saw one!

Factually, I can't respond to all of the purely stupid conjecture I have seen here, so I'll end it like this. You may think he's arrogant because in "just one man's opinion" he already met you face to face when he confronted you about running your mouth out of turn. And at 25 he's still full of fire. I, on the other hand, am just an old man of 50 with a kid on the team and one on the bantams. I've played a fair amount myself and been very successful at coaching, in the past. I am the person who brought him here because we don't have the luxury of Klatts, Pearts, Kleinedorsts, and Bischoffs. And if you wish to disagree with me, face to face, just post the time and place. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out who I am. Perhaps it is without "Merritt", but you should "wannabe" that your son does (only) as well as he!

[218er]

interesting post on Grant... What was said about him? I grew up playing with and against Grant. He was a good player and loved the game... very well deserving of playing D1. He proved that with his play in the USHL.

[218er]

Another thought... I remember there being a lot of people jelious of Grant for playing at St. Cloud State... especially from Hibbing. Maybe they were jelious because of all they talented players who never got the opportunity during those days:

TJ Renskers
OJ Bottoms
John Bottoms
The Fatucci Twins (sp)
.... the list goes on and on

Hibbing hasn't produced a good D1 hockey player for a very long time. Polich was probably the last real impact player... Maybe the whole town of Hibbing is just jelous.

[gophers101]

Another thought... I remember there being a lot of people jelious of Grant for playing at St. Cloud State... especially from Hibbing. Maybe they were jelious because of all they talented players who never got the opportunity during those days:

TJ Renskers
OJ Bottoms
John Bottoms
The Fatucci Twins (sp)
.... the list goes on and on

Hibbing hasn't produced a good D1 hockey player for a very long time. Polich was probably the last real impact player... Maybe the whole town of Hibbing is just jelous.

First off its JEALOUS! Second off no one in this town is jealous of him and third off did Grant go to Europe to play this year but then came back. Someone said he went but I don't know for sure.

[Nonamer]

Hey, I was at the Heritage Center when you verbally blasted blasted Coach Randolph from the bench for not playing your #23 enough. Don't know much about Claflin, but I know what kind of person you are.

I've a suggestion for you. Close your mouth and quit embarrassing your kid. You're a big boy, we all know that, but it's time you backed out of your kids hockey career before you do any more damage. Nothing good is going to come out of any kind of reply - this board will be a better place, without the big dog, kind of a merit-less experience if you will.

Enjoy the game for what it is, a game. You might live a little longer too. High blood pressure and stress can kill you if a guy isn't careful.

[Hibbing01]

As for Hibbing D-1 players.
More recently, Shea Walters playing for Bemidji State University, pretty much a shoe in to be in the WCHA next year; and Travis Weber, who was a goaltender for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
So much for that theory that Hibbing hasn't produced D-1 talent.

[deucereppin]

I know Clafton very well.....What is the reason for all this? Are people up there unhappy with his coaching?

[cu@darink]

Let's not forget DeCenzo next year out east!

[elliott70]

A poster suggested that Hibbing started having problems when Grant Clafton started assisting the team.

Everyone in the know realizes this is not true.

I have known him since he was 15 years old.
He is a good hockey guy and a good person.

Someone mis-spoke, so we should just forget this whole thing.
I am sure Grant has.

[northwoods oldtimer]

That is telling it elliot70. Some folks on this 'bored' should keep opinions to themselves. I know Grant was a good kid and factually laid it out pretty darn clear to all. Hibbing is fortunate to have such a coach in their program best wishes to their high school team down the palyoff run.