Flames' Stajan feels for former teammate McGrattan
Calgary Flames forward Matt Stajan had seen the video of former teammate Brian McGrattan knocked unconscious on the ice following a fight during a recent minor-league game.
Stajan admitted that while the sight of his friend in that state was uncomfortable to say the least, that result is very much possible when two hockey players are willing to drop the gloves.
Via the Calgary Herald:
"When something like that happens, it's always something you don't want to see. But I'm a traditionalist. There's fighting in the game of hockey, there always has been. Obviously, when you see a scary moment like that when someone makes contact with the ice with their head, it’s very scary. But, it's a fast-paced game. That can happen on a hit and a lot of instances.
I think we've already seen the hits and fighting die down; it’s trending that way. So, we’ll see what happens."
Playing for the San Diego Gulls, McGrattan was stretchered off the ice following a fight with San Antonio Rampage tough guy Daniel Magglio during the second period of Tuesday's American Hockey League tilt. Please note, the video is tough to watch.
McGrattan is no stranger to this side of the game, as he has competed in plenty of fights in both the NHL, AHL and Ontario Hockey League - according to HockeyFights.com.
The 34-year-old McGrattan collected 10 goals, 17 assists and 609 penalty minutes in 317 career contests with the Ottawa Senators, then-Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators and Flames.