Garrett Stafford (born January 28, 1980 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.) is a professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently a part of the Dallas Stars organization.

[edit] Playing career

Stafford played two years of junior hockey for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League before joining the New Hampshire Wildcats. He played for UNH for four years (although he missed the first semester of his senior season because he was academically ineligible.) He was an assistant captain his junior year. He ended his college career with a national championship game, which UNH lost 5-1 to Minnesota.

On December 9, 2003 he was signed as a free agent by the San Jose Sharks, and spent three seasons with the Sharks' American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland Barons (later the Worcester Sharks.)

His first pro season ended with an ugly incident. On April 30, 2004 Stafford was playing for the Cleveland Barons against the Hamilton Bulldogs in the Calder Cup playoffs when he got into an altercation with Hamilton's winger Alexander Perezhogin. Stafford cross-checked Perezhogin in the face resulting in them both falling to the ice. As they were getting up Stafford took another swing with his stick, this time making contact with the back of Perezhogin's helmet. In response, Perezhogin swung his stick into Stafford's face as he was getting up. The slash knocked Stafford unconscious resulting in a concussion and sending him into convulsions on the ice as well as causing severe facial wounds which required 20 stitches to repair.

Perezhogin was charged with assault causing bodily harm and was given a one year probation as well as being ordered to cover Stafford's medical expenses and donate a further $5000 to charity. Perezhogin was also suspended for the rest of the playoffs and the whole of the 2004–05 season, the longest suspension in AHL history. Stafford was also suspended for six games for his part in the incident. He made a full recovery in time for the next season.

On July 16, 2007 he was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Red Wings, who sent him to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Stafford played his first NHL game on February 23, 2008 against the Vancouver Canucks. He was recalled by the Wings earlier that day after injuries to Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski and Chris Chelios. He spent the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs on Detroit's practice roster, but never dressed for a playoff game. Stafford was included on the 2008 Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup picture, and he was awarded a Stanley Cup ring. He did not qualify to have his name inscribed on the cup, however.

Stafford was released by the Red Wings after the 2008 Stanley Cup run and on July 3, 2008 he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Stars. On October 4, 2008 the Stars loaned him back to Grand Rapids. The Stars recalled him on March 29, 2009, and he is currently a member of the Stars' roster.

[edit] Awards

• 2002 Hockey East Second All-Star Team
• 2003 Hockey East All-Tournament Team
• 2004 AHL Second All-Star Team
• 2004 AHL All-Rookie Team

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] External links

• Garrett Stafford's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database