Wally, known as a speedy forward, got his start in hockey on the Iron Range of Northeastern Minnesota. He is best known for the high school and collegiate championships he was part of in Eveleth, Minnesota and at the University of Michigan.

Grant was a participant in the first Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament in 1945, and played a major role in the Eveleth Golden Bears' third and fourth goals as Eveleth came back to win 4-3.

Playing on a line with Pat Finnigan and Neil Celley, Grant established a high school playoff record with 13 points. That record remained one of the top five performances in state history for more than four decades.

From Eveleth, Grant moved on to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where his team participated in the first NCAA Ice hockey Championship, in 1948. Coached by Vic Heyliger, the Wolverines defeated Dartmouth 8-4 in the title game to claim the first championship. Grant played on Michigan’s infamous "G" line, which included Wally Gacek and Ted Greer. Each of the three line-mates scored a third-period goal in Michigan's championship win.

He was never a big player, but made his on-ice points with speed and quickness. "I was 5'8" and 165 pounds, but I was fast enough to get around some of those defensemen," he said. "That was my advantage."

Grant played four seasons for Michigan between 1945 and 1950, participating in the NCAA tournament in three of those seasons. He took one season off after his freshman year to serve in the U.S. Military.

Grant worked for General Motors in Michigan for 37 years before he retired. Still following his alma mater, Grant served as vice president of the Dekers Blue Line Club – a Michigan hockey booster organization – as well as being a part of the Graduate "M" Club and Michigan's Victors Club.