Unheralded for the majority of his hockey career, Garrett Stafford has overcome many obstacles and has worked hard to become one of the top prospects in the game.
The difference between major and minor leaguers isn't often height, or even talent. It's pedigree: Play in the right places, and you catch the attention of the right people. You have a better chance of catching an NHL scout in Siberia than suburban Los Angeles. Stafford has always been a great player, and may be one of those decades long "overnight success" stories.
Garrett first garnered attention playing at the University of New Hampshire, where he helped his squad all the way to 2003 NCAA championship game, before finally losing to Minnesota.
Despite being the leading scoring defenseman on an NCAA runner-up, Stafford went undrafted and eventually signed with San Jose on October 10, 2003, as a free agent.
Stafford started his pro career with the Cleveland Barons, where he quickly began making a name for himself in the American Hockey League (AHL).
During the 2003-04 regular season, he led all AHL rookie defensemen in scoring, as well as leading all Barons defensemen in goals (12), assists (34), points (46).
Unfortunately, Stafford’s first postseason performance became unforgettable for the all the wrong reasons. He took a slash to the head from Hamilton Bulldogs forward Alexander Perezhogin from which he didn't get up. Garrett had to be carried off the ice. He was treated at Hamilton General Hospital for a concussion that led to a seizure.
This season, Stafford is back in Cleveland and is currently the second leading scorer among Barons’ blueliners. Expect him to get his first chance to prove himself in the NHL when the lockout ends.
