This year has been different.
Messina knew heading into the season that his most daunting task would be prepping an inexperienced blue line on the fly.
Just as concerning was the goaltending situation. A trio of classmates had rotated through at the position for the last two years, but all three graduated last summer.
Grenier was familiar with the three keepers. It was their presence that drove Grenier to Xaverian, where he hoped to find more playing time. The plan backfired.
As a freshman, he played two periods on the Hawks’ freshman squad. Sophomore year, a bout of mono held him out of tryouts. The team let Grenier try out once he was healthy, but elected to let him go after seeing him play.
“The coach said, ‘Come back and practice,’ and I thought I played well at practice, but he cut me there,’’ Grenier said. “I was disappointed. . . . I didn’t play the whole winter, and then picked it up again in the spring.’’
Grenier played through the spring with the Junior Terriers and over the summer in the Top Gun hockey league. Messina, knowing his Harbormen needed help between the pipes, asked Grenier to come back to Hingham. The last week of August, Grenier decided to enroll.
“I was getting pressure’’ from Hingham. “They said they wanted me back,’’ Grenier said. “I knew coming here, I had a better chance. The coaches liked me, and I like the kids, like the school, great school. So I came back to play here.’’
The junior beat out Jeff Taylor and Alex Bonn in camp, and has been a stalwart since.
“He didn’t play at all last year, and we didn’t really know what was going to happen,’’ Messina said. “It’s surprising that he’s been able to adjust to that speed and all the shots and stuff. We just kind of take it for granted now.’’
It’s been a steady assimilation for Grenier.
