Grant Parrish transferred to Breck from Northfield hoping to find a more positive playing experience.

“There was just some crap going around in Northfield that I didn’t want to be a part of,” said Parrish, who had seven goals as a freshman.

The sophomore forward seems to have found what he was looking for.

Parrish fit nicely into the Mustangs’ offense, scoring his first two goals for Breck in a 6-1 rout of Delano at Anderson Ice Arena in Golden Valley.

Parrish said there's “no negativity” on the team and that he easily fit into a program that has won four Class 1A state championships and has been to the state tournament 10 times.

Mustangs coach Les Larson said Parrish’s passion and abilities mesh well with the program’s expectations for it players.

“He’s skilled, and he hustles - and he backchecks,” Larson said. “When you look at the kid, he cares. That’s what we need out of our guys.” 

Parrish also gave Breck some breathing room in a game against a Tigers’ team trying to knock off its section rival. 

His first goal came 2:43 into the second period when junior forward Will Blake passed the puck from behind the net to Parrish, who was sitting to the right of Delano goalie Tyler Rizzardi. Parrish then whistled a quick wrist shot past Rizzardi to give the Mustangs a 3-1 lead.

Parrish netted his second goal with less than eight minutes to play in the second period, increasing Breck’s advantage to 5-1.

Parrish’s work ethic on the ice opens up a lot of space and opportunities for his teammates, junior forward Chase Ellingson said.

“He wins all the battles, and he’s got some nice skills. And he’s fun to play with,” said Ellingson, who assisted on both Parrish goals. 

Ellingson and the rest of the Mustangs may benefit from Parrish’s play, but they also provide Parrish with plenty of positive instruction, something the first-year Breck skater was hoping to get from his new teammates. 

“I’m always asking what I need to do better and what I’m doing good,” Parrish said. “It’s easy to ask these guys what to do next.”   


Delano forward Ben Meyers works his way around Breck forward Mitchel Machlitt in a 6-1 loss for the Tigers. Photo by Rick Orndorf

First Report

Grant Parrish scored his first two varsity goals for Breck, helping the Mustangs opened their season with a 6-1 victory over Delano Tuesday night at Anderson Ice Arena in Golden Valley. 

Parrish’s first goal came 2:43 into the second period. Forward Will Blake passed to Parrish, who was sitting to the right of the net, and the forward unleashed a wicked wrist shot that buzzed by Delano goalie Tyler Rizzardi to give Breck a 3-1 lead. 

Forward Chase Ellingson also earned an assist on the goal. 

Parrish tallied his second goal midway through the second period, increasing the lead to 5-1. 

Forwards Will Blake, Carter Breitenfeldt and Mitchell Machlitt, and defender Tyler Lindstrom each scored a goal for the Mustangs, ranked No. 3 in the Class 1A coaches poll. 

Forward Daniel Keranen netted the lone goal for Delano, No. 12-1A. 

The Tigers (1-1-0) host St. Louis Park on Tuesday, while Breck (1-0-0) travels to No.6-2A Duluth Marshall on Saturday. The Hilltoppers were one of six teams to defeat the Mustangs last season.

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