A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Brian McGrattan, 6-4, 235, is a throwback NHL heavyweight originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. As a bona fide junior goon, he amassed a staggering 551 penalty minutes and 39 fighting majors in 2004-2005 as a member of the AHL’s Binghamton Senators.
Brian McGrattan Hockey Fights
McGrattan's first NHL fight happened in the 2000 preseason as a member of Los Angeles Kings against K.C. Timmons of the Colorado Avalanche. McGrattan’s initial regular season fight was against Andrew Peters of the Buffalo Sabres, October 8, 2005. That 2005 regular season he tallied 19 fighting majors. In 2008, the Phoenix Coyotes acquired McGrattan from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
In December 2008, the National Hockey League Players' Association and the National Hockey League announced that McGrattan voluntarily entered Stage #1 of the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program of the NHL and the NHLPA. Under conditions of the program, McGrattan continued to receive his full salary and benefits and had no other penalty imposed since he obeyed the prearranged treatment and follow-up health program. NHL physician Dr. Dave Lewis, and NHLPA sanctioned Dr. Brian Shaw, administered McGrattan's care.
He returned toward the tail end of the 2008-2009 season to play a few games for the Coyotes; McGrattan had two decent scraps in those five games, one on March 17, verse Jody Shelley, and another, March 19, against George Parros.
In 2009, Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced the signing of the tough guy forward He played 34 games with the Flames, racking up 86 penalty minutes. His NHL career totals as of 2009-2010: 182 games, three goals, 11 assists, 14 total points, 395 penalty minutes, 63 fighting majors (including preseason). In August 2010 Calgary coach Brian Sutter bid farewell to the enforcer, opting to fill the squad's muscle role with the presence of former Los Angeles Kings division rival Raitis Ivanans. What this means for McGrattan’s future - if he even has one in the NHL - is uncertain. The premature retirement of Philadelphia Flyers hatchet man Riley Cote is further evidence that single-dimensional players such as McGrattan are a genuinely vanishing breed.
Brian McGrattan, NHL Heavyweight
Brian McGrattan is a throwback NHL enforcer, limited skills or mobility, all muscle, toughness, and intimidation. Perhaps a weaker, smaller team may find some value in his services. In fact, according to a 2009 poll of 272 NHL players surveyed by Sports Illustrated, the ferocious right winger received 1.5 percent of the vote, to earn ranking among the league's 10 toughest fighters.
As per hockeyfights.com, McGrattan is 10-2-2 in the 2009-2010 season, with his two losses coming at the fists of top heavyweights Colton Orr (Toronto) and Derek Boogaard (Minnesota). His greatest rivals on the ice are Andrew Peters (7 fights), Wade Belak (6 fights, including 3 in the 2009-2010 season), Colton Orr (5 fights), and Eric Godard (4 fights).
Brian D'Ambrosio - Brian D'Ambrosio is the author of more than 500 published articles and seven books, including From Haikus to Hatmaking: A Year in the Life ...
