Completed Event: Men's Ice Hockey versus Princeton on February 28, 2026 , Tie , 2, to, 2 , (SO, L)
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Men's Ice Hockey
vs Princeton
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Spotlight on Grant Lewis
2/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
“Thrashing” His Way to the Top
By Heather Croze
Dartmouth's Grant Lewis will be the first to tell you that he never thought he'd be playing hockey after college, and yet Lewis is most likely going to do just that.
As the highest drafted player in the ECAC Hockey League this season, Lewis will be making the transition to the Atlanta Thrashers organization once he graduates in May.
“I wouldn't trade being drafted for anything,” Lewis said. “The Thrashers have been great while I've been at Dartmouth. They've communicated well with me and have let me just play. I really hope to be able to play for their organization one day.”
Drafted in the second round — 40th overall — in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the two-way defenseman has spent the last four years at Dartmouth developing his game, eager to make the transition to the next step.
“When I came to Dartmouth I really thought the chances of me playing professionally was more a dream then anything else. I had no thoughts of being drafted. But then things changed pretty quickly after my freshman year and I'm more than ready for the next level,” Lewis said.
The senior spent time at the Thrashers Prospects Development Camp this past summer, giving an impressive performance. Lewis roomed with University of Minnesota's Mike Vannelli, and while at the camp, Vannelli prepared Lewis well as he was pretty easily the best defenseman in the camp.
“I've trained with some of the best players in hockey today,” Lewis said. “The biggest thing I've picked up from those guys has been the work ethic.
“I don't think I'm perfect at any part of my game. But I think I do enough things well, and that gets me by. I think my biggest asset is my mental approach. I feel I've gotten stronger while here at Dartmouth and I'm willing to do what I need to play at the NHL level.”
Lewis credits the legendary Mario Lemieux for getting him interested in hockey. As both have the connection to Western Pennsylvania, Lewis says that if Lemieux hadn't been so good when he was a player with the Penguins, he would have taken up baseball.
Lewis has proven to be a contributor at both ends of the ice for the Big Green. He's able to play physically in the defensive zone, moves the puck well and has shown significant offensive talent by recording 12 goals and 57 assists in 108 games.
“Grant is a true offensive defenseman,” said Dartmouth coach Bob Gaudet. “He was very young when he arrived here, and we knew he had real ability but I've been pleasantly surprised at how quickly he developed. The feel of the game is his biggest asset and he sees the ice tremendously well. He's been on our top power play unit this year and he's proven his worth by being a tough athlete who has been able to play through injuries.”
Lewis will leave as one of the top defensemen to have ever played at Dartmouth. As a freshman, Lewis was third on the team in scoring with 25 points and was named first team All-ECAC and Ivy League. As a sophomore he racked up 22 points and was selected honorable mention All-Ivy. In his third season, Lewis was the Big Green's third highest scoring defenseman and finished the year ranked nationally in power play points. This season Lewis suffered an injury that kept him out of eight games but he's been working his way back, playing in the last 11, scoring six points.
Lewis knows he has just a few contests left in a Dartmouth uniform before donning the blue, red and gold colors of his next team.
“I very much look forward to what's ahead for my career but there's still some things here I want to accomplish,” said Lewis. “I want to help this year's team to the NCAA tournament. I've enjoyed everything about Dartmouth and I've realized through hard work just what can actually be accomplished.”
Players Mentioned
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