elpasorhinos.com

Grady Little
 

What years were you with the Rhinos?
 

I was with the Rhinos for the 2006 – 2007 season. 
 
How did you become a Rhino?

After playing the first two season of my junior career on the east coast I was looking for a program that could offer the full junior hockey experience as well as the opportunity to advance my game. After attending a try-out camp in Dallas I received a call from Trevor Converse. Upon hearing all that the Rhinos organization and the city of El Paso had to offer, I knew I had found a match.
 
Go back to when you were here. Describe the season or seasons in which you were here, how you felt, and what you experienced.

My year as a Rhino was unbelievable. From day one, the team staff, booster club and fans did an amazing job to make El Paso feel like a second home. As an expansion team to the WSHL we won the Mid-West division as well as made an appearance in the Thorne Cup Championship and the National Championship tournament for the first time in franchise history.
 
What is your most memorable moment as a Rhino?

My most memorable moment as a Rhino would definitely be winning the Mid-West championship and clinching our trip to Nationals. We as a team, played our best hockey of the season that weekend, and most of the player’s families were able to make it into town for the series which made it that much more special.
 
What is one funny story about your time as a Rhino?

My funniest story took place before I had even signed my contract to become a Rhino. Cory Herman had asked me to come down to an open try-out in El Paso and told me to forward him all of my flight information so he could make sure there was someone at the airport to pick me up.
 
I land in El Paso, grab my bags, and head outside not quite sure who I am looking for. An hour passes and I am still standing in the sun on the curb of the airport so I start walking down Airway Blvd. with all my hockey gear looking for a hotel. After successfully finding a hotel, I get into a cab to head to the rink for the first skate. Only problem was that the cab driver had no idea where the rink was located and proceeded to drive me around the city for two hours racking up a $90 cab fare. I ended up missing the first skate and get a frantic phone call from Coach to make sure I was still alive. Thankfully, Tom Herman was kind enough to be my personal chauffer for the rest of the trip.
 
Looking back, what do you miss the most?
 

Everything. The team staff, game day staff, booster club and fans really do a great job to make the Rhinos one of the best junior organizations in the country. I also miss the food, Mexican food just isn’t the same as you get closer to the Mason-Dixon line.
 
Did you continue to play after your time with the Rhinos? And if so, where? Did you receive any awards?

I did not continue to play after my time with the Rhinos due to injury.
 
Is there anyone you that still keep in touch with in El Paso?

Yes, I still keep in touch with many of my teammates as well as many other players that have gone through the organization as well as the coaching staff. I also travel to beer-league tournaments with some of the guys from the game day staff.
 
Where are you and what do you do now?
 

I am currently living just outside of Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia selling commercial and residential Real Estate.
 

What is one last thing would like to go back and do one last time as a Rhino?

I'd love to come back to play one last game as a Rhino. There was no better feeling than putting that jersey on and coming on to the ice in front of a sold out barn.