Indy Jr. Fuel 18U forward Grainda signs NAHL tender

Indy Jr. Fuel 18U forward Joseph Grainda attended the 2020 NAHL junior combine in Columbus, OH (photo by Hickling Images).

The Indy Jr. Fuel of the NAPHL are pleased to announce that forward Joseph Grainda has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Chippewa Steel of the NAHL’s Midwest Division.

Grainda, 18, is in his first season playing in the NAPHL for the Jr. Fuel. In nine NAPHL games to date, the 6’3/190 lbs. native of Carmel, Indiana, has recorded three points.

Grainda attended the NAHL junior combine this past summer in Columbus, Ohio, where he first caught the eye of the Steel.

During the 2019-20 season, Grainda played in 38 games last year for the Ohio Blue Jackets AAA program, picking up 31 total points.

“Joseph’s speed and skill fit right in with the way our team likes to play. We have been impressed with his game so far and he continues to get better and better. We look forward to having him join us next season,” stated Head Coach Carter Foguth.

Click here for a list of 2020-21 NAPHL tenders

A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders, which include two (2) tenders exclusively used on players from the NAPHL - plus or minus any trades - which became active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the 2021 NAHL Draft.