The Cents had one of their most successful seasons in 30 years, and with that comes the unfortunate reality that some of the best players to don a Centennials crest will be leaving for the next step in their hockey careers in the NCAA. In the coming weeks we will give one final salute to the young men who served the Cents in the 2018/19 season.
Nicholas ‘Game On’ Granowicz
Nic Granowicz played just one year with the Merritt Centennials, but what a year it was. Serving as Assistant Captain he was a calming influence on the bench, that always seemed to come up clutch. He piled up a ton of accolades in his only year with the Centennials, but the humble forward never let it go to his head.
Before coming to the Centennials, Granowicz was a bit of a journeyman who kept moving up and up in his junior career. He began playing for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey league. There he was able to put up 22 points in 32 games. The following year he moved on to the NAHL and the Topeka Road Runners. In his second year of junior, he put up 24 points in 59 games. In his final year before joining the Cents he split action between the Topeka Road Runners where he served as Captain and had 30 points in 25 games, and the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL where he had 9 points in 28 games.
Coach Joe Martin remembers getting a first look at Granowicz and liking what he saw.
“Early on you could see that Nick was a quiet leader, he came in with a bit more maturity than other guys, knew his job and sets out to accomplish it.”
It was with the Centennials that ‘Game On’ Granowicz truly flourished. His speed and size on the wing was on full display as he would barge into the zone, protect the puck, and drive the net. He could beat you with speed or skill, and it always seemed in the 3rd period he was a player to watch. He never captured a BCHL Player of the Week nod, but was an honorable mention 4 times throughout the season, lead the league in game-winning goals with 10, was and was the only Centennials player to be named a BCHL All Star. He finished his spectacular season 16th in league scoring with 59 points, and his 32 goals led the Centennials and was 7th in the BCHL over the regular season.
Coach Martin says that Granowicz is a player that burned bright despite his short time here.
“Nick stayed true to his identity, scored timely goals for us, was a big piece of the team, and the kind of player that you build around.”
Next season Granowicz will move on to play at the University of Michigan, and Martin says they’re getting a gamer.
“Michigan is getting a player who never quits, and is ready to play in all situations. Once he gets the opportunity to produce offense, I think we’ll see him shine at what he does best.”
At Michigan, Granowicz will be returning to his home state and joining one of the most prestigious programs in North America. The Cents wish Granowicz and his family all the best as he moves forward with his career, and thank them for their contributions to the Centennials organization.
