Grimes’ play does his talking

Five years into his professional lacrosse career, everything is coming together for Mike Grimes.

In his fourth city in five seasons in the National Lacrosse League, Grimes, 25, is coming into his own. And as the Washington Stealth defenseman turns a corner in his career, people are starting to take notice. Grimes, who is in his third season with the Stealth — including a season in San Jose — will make his first NLL all-star game appearance today in Verna, NY, and will do so as the Stealth’s only starter in the league’s midseason talent showcase.

“He’s really maturing and coming into his own as an outstanding lacrosse player,” said Stealth coach Chris Hall, who will coach the West all stars. “This is just part of the process of becoming a great player and understanding how good he can be in this league and how good he can be as a lacrosse player. He’s really starting to hit his stride and hit his peak.”

Grimes’ all star season follows a summer season with the Langley Thunder of the Western Lacrosse Association in which he was named the league’s defensive player of the year.

And while Grimes, who is described by his coach as a quiet and unassuming guy, says the recognition is mainly the result of his team enjoying success — the Stealth are NLL defending champs — he will begrudgingly admit he is making strides as an individual as well.

“I guess so,” he said. “As the team has had success, so have I. It was kind of the same in Langley. As the team I play on turns the corner, I feel like I sort of turn the corner with the team.”

Of course that does go both ways, even if the humble Grimes doesn’t want to admit it. Sure he’s getting more attention because of Washington’s success, but it’s also the case that Washington is enjoying that success, in part anyway, because of Grimes’ improved play.

“He’s just playing outstanding lacrosse,” said Hall, who is coaching his fourth all-star game today. “He’s having a great season for us. He’s kind of doing a little bit of everything. When we lost Kyle Sorensen in the back end to injury, we lost a lot of leadership back there, and Mike has really taken on a leadership role and he’s really anchored our defense back there and done a great job. It’s been a great year for him and he’s just continuing to get better … He’s bringing a lot to the Stealth right now.”

Like most players in the NLL, Grimes has a day job to supplement his lacrosse income. The native of Peterborough, Ontario lives in Coquitlam, B.C. and works for B.C. Hydro, the province’s electric utility. He is one of several British Columbia-based Stealth players, making the team’s relocation from San Jose to Everett two years ago a blessing.

“The community around Everett has been so welcoming, and being so close it’s easier to be able to work during the week and commute for games,” said Grimes, who played in Edmonton and Arizona before coming to the Stealth.

In a year in which a lot has gone right for Grimes, the one professional disappointment was a snub by Team Canada when it chose its national team for this spring’s World Championships.

“I thought it was a major oversight,” Hall said. “By all measures he really deserved to be on the Canadian team that’s going to the World Championships in May. That was kind of disappointing. How can you turn down a guy that in the Western Lacrosse Association was the defensive player of the year, and now is an all-star starter in the National Lacrosse League?”

Of course Grimes himself won’t let himself admit to being disappointed even if his coach does.

“No, it didn’t bother me,” he said. “Obviously it would have been a huge privilege to be a part of a team like that, but I also realize that being from Canada, there’s a lot of great lacrosse players in our country. So no, not disappointed, but it would have been great to be a part of it. But I’m happy to be focused on this season with the Stealth right now.”

Instead, Grimes is enjoying a breakout season with the Stealth, and a chance to play in his first All-Star game along with teammates Rhys Duch, Paul Rabil, Luke Wiles, and Lewis Ratcliff.

“It’s a great honor,” he said. “Those are the best players in the world. I feel like I’ve continued to improve throughout my career, so it’s nice to be recognized for that … And it’s going to be awesome to have the other guys there. It’s going to be like having your brothers there.”

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.