In the heightened environment of a world championship, every member of the team is stressed - both on the field of play and off.
Brandon Grace understands this as well as anyone.
It's precisely the reason why the 32 year-old equipment manager with the Sudbury Wolves believes that his ability to do his job exceptionally well is equal parts technical aspects that come with hands on experience mixed with the type of persona that can blend seamlessly into any situation, situations that requires one to accept their role within a team structure.
All of the above is a big part of the reason that Grace has now been named by Hockey Canada to four separate key national and international assignments, including being tasked with the duties at which he exels as part of the Team Canada entry at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in August.
His efforts there helped produce a gold medal for he and his teammates - as there is no denying that Grace was an integral part of that team.
"It's understanding your job and your role and staying in your lane," suggested the graduate of St Charles College recently. "It's knowing what the coaches need. It's doing your job, keeping your nose clean, being respectful."
Grace speaks with the knowledge that comes with being part of a team environment, in settings similar to his current position, since before he left high-school.
"It started in grade 12," recalled the eldest of two children in a very hockey-oriented family. "I was thinking about going into Athletic Therapy and reached out to Dan Buckland (former Sudbury Wolves' athletic therapist) and got my foot in the door that way."
After spending four years completing his degree in Kinesiology at Laurentian University, Grace faced the "full-time work versus life in sports" uncertainty and opted to assist the Wolves more on the side.
And while he still balances his commitment to the OHL team with sales / territory manager work as well, the departure of Buckland to a teaching role at Cambrian College as well as offerings in the private sector a couple of years ago opened the door for Grace to become more of a constant fixture at Sudbury Wolves' encounters.
"Skate sharpening is the primary focus and managing the inventory that we have, especially with sticks and equipment - forecasting broken sticks," said Grace. Quickly, however, we cross-over to other areas which fit his pleasant, outgoing personality to a "T".
"Getting to know each player individually, their different wants and needs, helps to bring you closer to them, all while still keeping that level of professionalism," he stated. "In some ways, you can be their confidant."
"They will at times come and talk to you instead of going to the coaches."
Thankfully, his hockey and family background are filled with wonderfully grounded perspective, the benefit at times of settling in nicely at a "AA" level in the minor hockey ranks.
"My dad (Kevin) was a great mentor to me, a great coach growing up," said Grace. "Having a family that is devoted to hockey is special."
Grace would veer from the SMHA club scene to play a couple of years with the St Charles College Cardinals, a move he wishes he had made one year earlier, enjoying a pair of trips to OFSAA championships.
It all adds up to a young man who is blessed with the confidence to accept postings in pressure-packed surroundings, but who still finds a way to share the memories with a much appreciated sense of humility.
"All of the OHL equipment and training staff are well versed in the areas - and we work well together," suggested Grace. "Our goal is to make sure that the players are given everything they need to succeed."
The payoff for Brandon Grace is clear.
"If you never have a chance to represent your country as a player, you might as well get the opportunity to do it as a staff member," he said. "Getting to hold that trophy, singing "Oh Canada" on the blueline, arm in arm, is an incredible moment."
"I take a great deal of pride in representing my country for the fourth time now," Grace summarized. "Hopefully there will be a fifth very soon."
