NHL Lineman Debuts On Ice At Avs Home Opener

DENVER (CBS4)- The Colorado Avalanche were thrilled to get back on the ice at the Pepsi Center for their home opener on Tuesday but maybe not as excited as John Grandt.

Grandt is a local who made his debut Tuesday as an National Hockey League linesman.

"It's been a long dream over the course of five, five and a half years now," Grandt said.

"This type of moment today doesn't just happen. It is a testament to how hard he's worked," Grandt's wife said.

It's been Grandt's dream. He spent five years traveling around the Midwest officiating Junior Hockey games. During the off season Grandt finally got the call from the big leagues.

"I ended up getting about 50 (tickets) for family and friends that I've either worked with on the ice or family that's been there for the entire ride," Grandt said.

Grandt is the first Coloradan ever to be a linesman in the NHL. He said there may more down the line because youth hockey has picked up in Colorado since the Avs came to town.

"Because of (youth hockey) the officiating is coming along at about the same rate," he said. "I would guess we may see a few guys here in the next few years that make it there as well."

But Grandt will always be the first.