MASON CITY, Iowa – The North Iowa Bulls are heading back to a familiar East Coast program as they continue to sign talent and build the team’s 2022-23 roster. The Bulls are excited to announce that Maine Nordiques AAA defenseman Owen Grainger to a North American Hockey League tender agreement. Grainger’s tender signing locks him in with the Bulls through at least the start of next season, and any NAHL appearances for the remainder of the 2021-22 season will be made with the Bulls. He is no longer eligible to be selected in the 2022 NAHL Draft this coming summer.
Grainger is in his second season with the Nordiques’ 18-and-under team, posting 19 points in 54 games during the 2021-22 campaign. He comes into the final week of January with 17 points in 32 games, including a point-per-game pace in nine North American Prospects Hockey League appearances. His NAPHL debut was a four-point showing in a November win over the Indy Jr. Fuel at the league’s Tier I Eastern Conference Showcase in Pittsburgh.
The Alexandria, Virginia native has also suited up for the Washington Little Caps program, as well as his high school team at T.C. Williams High School. As a Titan, he earned all-Capital Scholastic Hockey League honors as the league’s top-scoring defenseman in 2019-20 with 17 points, and helped his high school program earn a postseason league championship in 2018 and regular-season titles in 2019 and 2020.
Grainger becomes the third player with NAPHL experience to sign an NAHL tender with the Bulls this season, and the second current NAPHL player to sign with North Iowa after Esmark Stars forward Shane Kozlina inked with the team two weeks ago.
The North Iowa Bulls congratulate Owen Grainger on his tender signing and wish him further success as his 2021-22 season continues.