Lee Valley Lions Player Profile

Jamie Grindlay

Full Name: James Scott Grindlay

Born: 02/04/71, Slough

Height: 6'1"/185cm

Weight: 12st/76kg

Position: Goaltender

This is not the usual Player Profile. Instead it's a "Plus and Minus" as printed in the Clock End Times (Issue 3, December 1992). Used here with permission from Mike Ewer.

Plus:

Choose 3 words to describe yourself...
Grumpy, hard-working, picky.

Which player did you idolise as a kid, and why?
Grant Fuhr, he was the best goalie at the time in the NHL.

Against which team did you make your debut, and did you have a good game?
It was against a really poor team, Deeside I think. I played well but they were not good opponents.

What's the greatest game you've ever seen or played in?
It was in 1989/90 in a Trophy match against Billingham - we lost 2-5.

Which current coach would you like to play for?
Peter Woods, he's a good goalie coach.

Which is your favourite rink, and why?
Sheffield Arena, the atmosphere is great!

What is the strangest possession in your house?
My dad's 2000 prints of Wayne Gretsky! He started up his own business selling them before he got a nasty letter from his agent!

Which player would you most liked to have played alongside, and why?
Chris Chelios, the best defenceman in the world.

As a kid, which position did you want to play, and why?
Always goalie... I couldn't skate!

Which player would you most liked to have played against?
Gary Brine, he's the most professional goalie in this league.

Which team did you support as a kid, and why?
Medway Bears, they were my local team.

Which cartoon character would you have printed on a T-shirt?
Garfield.

Who gave you your first big break in hockey?
Gord Jeffrey, the first coach to play me in a Heineken game.

Which uncapped player do you think should have played for GB?
Stewart Carvill.

What's your favourite part of the Clock End Times?
The reports on the away trips!

What's the greatest piece of music you've ever heard?
Iron Maiden, Phantom of the Opera (the Lucozade advert).

Name the player you most admire, who plays in your position...
Gary Brine.

Minus:

What's the worst thing about you?
Grumpiness!

Which club was the worst you've played for, and why?
Streatham last year, it was a big mistake going there.

Have you ever played for a relegated team?
Yes, Medway in 1990/91 - but I was 8th in the averages!

Which rink do you hate playing at, and why?
Romford - I've never had a good game there.

Which comedian makes you turn off the TV?
Bobby Davro.

What's the worst injury you've ever had?
Torn cartilage about three years ago.

Which cartoon character would you like to rub out?
George out of George & Lynne!

Which exercise do you hate doing in training?
Skating! It's tedious and boring.

Which TV programme do you always switch off, and why?
Coronation Street - it just doesn't appeal to me.

Which sports do you hate watching?
Motor racing.

What's the worst hockey game you've seen?
That Thursday night match at Chelmsford in October.

Which position would you hate to play in, and why?
Defence - they get the least amount of recognition.

Which team do you hate playing against, and why?
Obviously at the moment it's Basingstoke!

Which newspaper would you use in the cat tray?
The Independent.

Who is the toughest player you've played against, and why?
Luc Chabot, he knew me inside out.

What type of food do you hate to eat?
Indian.

What car wouldn't you buy?
A Skoda.