The Dauphin Kings were getting set for a game against the Portage Terriers back on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. They found themselves down 2-0 in their best-of-seven first-round series against the Portage Terriers and if they didn't find a way to get a win on their home ice on that night, they would be on the brink of elimination just a few days later.

A solid crowd packed inside of Credit Union Place, one that believed the home team could get back in the series with all of the firepower the team had along with superb goaltending.

Moments were tense and each shot became one that could have been the game-winner as the game came down to the final seconds of regulation, but no pucks found the back of the net as Levi Mitchell and Noah Giesbrecht shut the door in the first 60.

The first 10 minute overtime period also solved nothing and after a flood, the second-seeded Terriers and seventh-seeded Kings were off to double-overtime to determine a winner in game three.

Just 2:25 into that frame off of a Portage turnover, Bryson Cecconi jammed the puck to the side of the net where it was retrieved by Grady Hobbs who lit the twine and a celebration ensued as the Kings got back in the series with a thrilling 1-0 win. 

Game four of the series was scheduled for Friday, March 15, also at Credit Union Place as the series format was 2-2-1-1-1. Ultimately that game on Friday never took place. The Canadian Junior Hockey League put a stop to the season due to the novel coronavirus.

The question is still could the Kings have knocked off the Centennial Cup hosts in that series? It's a question that no one will ever be able to answer, but the win on March 12 was a big one for the Club, nonetheless.

"That was a really exciting goal because it gave me my first ever playoff win with this organization and that meant a ton to me," offered Hobbs. "At the end of the day, it was bitter-sweet because we didn't get the chance to play another game, but it was a goal that I won't forget."

After news that everything was put to rest for the season, Hobbs and the Kings organization never thought he would play another game with the team as he was set to join the Rochester Institute of Technology Division 1 men's team in time for this season.

However, Grady is back in town as last year's most valuable player will suit up for the Kings in his final junior season and fifth as a member of one of the most storied teams in Canadian Junior Hockey League history. 

"There were a lot of talks between my parents, my coaches, and I," offered Hobbs. "Everyone thought it was best if I returned to Dauphin so I could stay close to home with everything going on."

Dauphin is the only junior team that Grady has ever played with and he's now suited up in 224 regular-season games, 231 if you include playoffs. His billets are Lindsey and Jerron Kyle.

"It's really exciting to be back in Dauphin, I really do love it here and I love my billets," said Hobbs. "We have a really great group of guys here so that makes it even more exciting for me."

After not taking part in the first two days of main camp on September 18 or 19, Hobbs played in the JoFo Cup and he scored one goal as his Team Trotz went on to win 7-5. Fast forward to the preseason and Hobbs only played once -- but he certainly lit it up -- as most expect he will do this season. He scored three goals and added three assists in an 8-3 win for Dauphin over Neepawa.

"That felt great. I haven't played a game since that last playoff game so it was awesome to be back in game action," said Hobbs. "It was nice that I was able to find some chemistry with Koby Morrisseau and Austin Lamotte."

The trio ended combining for 13 points in that game. Hobbs took off the team's final preseason game against Portage back on Wednesday as the Club prepares for their home opener which will be played on Friday, October 9 when the Waywayseecappo Wolverines are in town. 

It'll be Grady's fifth home opener with the team and ultimately, it will be his last as he's 20-years-old. Despite the crowd having to be minimized to just 50% of Credit Union Place's capacity, Grady still knows it will be a special night with hundreds of passionate fans coming to support the team. 

"I'm just really grateful that we're getting the opportunity to play hockey, that's the biggest thing right now," continued Hobbs. "I'm really excited about the game, it should be a fun one."

Last year's most valuable player scored 43 goals in the regular season -- the most of any player and he also added 38 assists for an 81 one point total -- only fewer than Mikol Sartor.

Grady has now scored 71 regular season goals across his 224 games. Goals and points are nice and there's no doubt about that, but it's all about winning for the 20-year-old man from Deloraine who will do anything he can to help this team win games.

"That's all that really matters at the end of the day. If I give it all I can, the goals and points will come," ended Hobbs. "I just want to win hockey games and that's the mentality in our room, we all just want to win."