Jacobsen takes a break during a recent practice at NYTEXThe Insider Interview - Grant Jacobsen
After return from England, Brahmas forward among team scoring leaders
Grant Jacobsen re-joined the Brahmas at the beginning of the season after starting eight games with the England's Manchester Phoenix (EIHL). Jacobsen quickly established himself as a team leader, not only in goals but with a strong work ethic and a great personality that has made him a fan favorite.
After 33 games, Jacobsen has 37 points (16 G, 21 A) and 32 penalty minutes. He has a +10 rating and leads the league with a .320 shooting percentage. I spoke with Grant at the NYTEX Centre after practice on Thursday. Here is our conversation.
Q: When it came time to make the decision to leave the Manchester Phoenix and return to North Texas to play for the Brahmas, what went through your mind?
A: Obviously, I had to weigh all of my options and talk it over with family and friends. I really wanted to stay there. I enjoyed being in a different country and a different atmosphere as far as hockey was concerned but at the end of the day, as far as improving not only hockey-wise but having the opportunity to go far in the playoffs and have a good team again, this was my best option. It was pretty easy when it came down to it, that Fonger gave me an opportunity to come back; it was pretty much a no-brainer to come back.
Q: Do you think that if you’d stayed in England, that you would have regretted making that choice?
A: Yeah, at the end of the year I probably would have regretted it a bit, but I’m sure if I’d stayed there, it would’ve been fine. I think I would’ve had success and the team there, I think they’re in fourth or fifth place. I’m sure it would’ve been fine in that sense but little things like – I’m a big golfer, so this weather, you can’t beat it. The guys on the team, a lot of them came back so it was super easy to adjust.
Q: You had a terrific season with the Brahmas last year and you’ve had a great start since you’ve been back. You’re leading the team in points and the league in shot percentage. Are you surprised at how well everything is going and do you think the makeup of the team is contributing to your success?
A: Yeah, a little bit of both. You obviously have high expectations of yourself every time you go into a season, even if you start off slow, you really want to bounce back come the middle of the season. Playing with Jordan Cameron brings a lot of skill to our line and then McConnell’s been bumping and grinding and creating a lot of space and opportunity me and Jordan to produce. Without Strome and guys like Manning out of the line-up this year, Fonger has really asked a lot of us to step up and be more accountable as far as producing points and helping the team win.
Q: I want to ask you about a couple of teams that you’ve faced this year, starting off with Bossier. It’s a great, old rivalry with the Mudbugs. Of course, the Brahmas swept them in the playoffs and this year so far, you guys have pretty much owned them throughout. How do you feel about them and your success against them – is there anything you can point to that explains it?
A: It’s a good question. I think a lot of intensity and a lot of the rivalry has boiled over from last year. There were a couple of games this year we might not have or should not have won; we just ended up on the winning end at the end of 60 minutes. I think a lot of it comes from guys that played there. And obviously, Fonger has a lot of respect for them but also at the same time really wants to beat them. I think we really rev ourselves up for those games. Maybe a little bit more than playing other teams but it’s not like we do it on purpose, we try and get up for every game but playing them lends a little more motivation to win the game.
Q: On the flip side, let’s talk about the RiverKings. In four games so far, you guys took them pretty easily in the season opener, but they’ve pretty much had your number in the last three games at their barn. How frustrating is that, to come up against a team that really does so well against you guys and does that add frustration as a player on the ice when you come up against someone that you’re just not able to beat?
A: Definitely. I think the frustration is there. I know the next time we play Mississippi, a lot of the guys are really going to try and bring their A-game. For some reason, going into their barn, we haven’t been able to produce. Whether it’s a work ethic, or just not getting the bounces, we’re not coming out of there with two points. Definitely, the next time we’re there or the next time we play them, we’re gonna stick to our game plan and just try and work that much harder.
Q: Your play has been very sharp this year but what do you think personally, that you could improve upon?
A: Well, I’ve heard it a thousand times and Fonger has said it a thousand times, not so much work ethic but getting in better shape, you could always get in better shape. You can ride the bike, stuff like that. So, as far as moving my feet and just trying to become a better skater, that’s probably the thing I’d like to work on most. There’s always other little things like winning face-offs, hitting the net, getting the puck deep, getting the puck out, little things like that which you always need to improve on.
Q: There are a couple of guys joining the team now; Jason Deitsch who has been in and out due to being called up to the Aeros and Travis Banga, who came in on a trade. How do you feel about these two coming in and making a contribution at this time of the season?
A: Just looking at it in practice, It’s really going to benefit Shep and their line. I think they’re going to complement each other really well. They’re really skilled...I think that they’re going to find the Shep the puck and he’s going to start putting the puck in a lot more and really help our team in all aspects.
Q: Last season at this time, the Brahmas had an amazing run, going 23-5-1 in the last 29 games; the most successful record during that period in the CHL. It looks like the team is poised to repeat that success. I know every game is a battle and nothing is set in stone, but what is your personal level of excitement with the prospect of entering the playoffs again and the prospect of the ultimate goal, which is getting a championship ring?
A: Obviously, I had to weigh all of my options and talk it over with family and friends. I really wanted to stay there. I enjoyed being in a different country and a different atmosphere as far as hockey was concerned but at the end of the day, as far as improving not only hockey-wise but having the opportunity to go far in the playoffs and have a good team again, this was my best option. It was pretty easy when it came down to it, that Fonger gave me an opportunity to come back; it was pretty much a no-brainer to come back.
Q: Do you think that if you’d stayed in England, that you would have regretted making that choice?
A: Yeah, at the end of the year I probably would have regretted it a bit, but I’m sure if I’d stayed there, it would’ve been fine. I think I would’ve had success and the team there, I think they’re in fourth or fifth place. I’m sure it would’ve been fine in that sense but little things like – I’m a big golfer, so this weather, you can’t beat it. The guys on the team, a lot of them came back so it was super easy to adjust.
Q: You had a terrific season with the Brahmas last year and you’ve had a great start since you’ve been back. You’re leading the team in points and the league in shot percentage. Are you surprised at how well everything is going and do you think the makeup of the team is contributing to your success?
A: Yeah, a little bit of both. You obviously have high expectations of yourself every time you go into a season, even if you start off slow, you really want to bounce back come the middle of the season. Playing with Jordan Cameron brings a lot of skill to our line and then McConnell’s been bumping and grinding and creating a lot of space and opportunity me and Jordan to produce. Without Strome and guys like Manning out of the line-up this year, Fonger has really asked a lot of us to step up and be more accountable as far as producing points and helping the team win.
Q: I want to ask you about a couple of teams that you’ve faced this year, starting off with Bossier. It’s a great, old rivalry with the Mudbugs. Of course, the Brahmas swept them in the playoffs and this year so far, you guys have pretty much owned them throughout. How do you feel about them and your success against them – is there anything you can point to that explains it?
A: It’s a good question. I think a lot of intensity and a lot of the rivalry has boiled over from last year. There were a couple of games this year we might not have or should not have won; we just ended up on the winning end at the end of 60 minutes. I think a lot of it comes from guys that played there. And obviously, Fonger has a lot of respect for them but also at the same time really wants to beat them. I think we really rev ourselves up for those games. Maybe a little bit more than playing other teams but it’s not like we do it on purpose, we try and get up for every game but playing them lends a little more motivation to win the game.
Q: On the flip side, let’s talk about the RiverKings. In four games so far, you guys took them pretty easily in the season opener, but they’ve pretty much had your number in the last three games at their barn. How frustrating is that, to come up against a team that really does so well against you guys and does that add frustration as a player on the ice when you come up against someone that you’re just not able to beat?
A: Definitely. I think the frustration is there. I know the next time we play Mississippi, a lot of the guys are really going to try and bring their A-game. For some reason, going into their barn, we haven’t been able to produce. Whether it’s a work ethic, or just not getting the bounces, we’re not coming out of there with two points. Definitely, the next time we’re there or the next time we play them, we’re gonna stick to our game plan and just try and work that much harder.
Q: Your play has been very sharp this year but what do you think personally, that you could improve upon?
A: Well, I’ve heard it a thousand times and Fonger has said it a thousand times, not so much work ethic but getting in better shape, you could always get in better shape. You can ride the bike, stuff like that. So, as far as moving my feet and just trying to become a better skater, that’s probably the thing I’d like to work on most. There’s always other little things like winning face-offs, hitting the net, getting the puck deep, getting the puck out, little things like that which you always need to improve on.
Q: There are a couple of guys joining the team now; Jason Deitsch who has been in and out due to being called up to the Aeros and Travis Banga, who came in on a trade. How do you feel about these two coming in and making a contribution at this time of the season?
A: Just looking at it in practice, It’s really going to benefit Shep and their line. I think they’re going to complement each other really well. They’re really skilled...I think that they’re going to find the Shep the puck and he’s going to start putting the puck in a lot more and really help our team in all aspects.
Q: Last season at this time, the Brahmas had an amazing run, going 23-5-1 in the last 29 games; the most successful record during that period in the CHL. It looks like the team is poised to repeat that success. I know every game is a battle and nothing is set in stone, but what is your personal level of excitement with the prospect of entering the playoffs again and the prospect of the ultimate goal, which is getting a championship ring?
A: You always think about winning a championship and you always think about going far in the playoffs but it’s still a long ways away and we still have a lot of games to play. We’re not even in the playoffs yet, so when you take time to reflect on the possibility of playing for a championship, it’s always exciting. We know that we have a lot of work to do, a lot of time and effort to put in, in practices and looking at game tape and stuff like that. But it’s always exciting when you know you have the team to possibly win a championship. If everything comes together and gels well, I think we’ll have a legitimate chance of winning.
Photo Credit: Robert Keith
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