McGrattan joins Flames staff to guide players
Flames hire McGrattan to provide players support and guidance on and off the ice
In the midst of yet another drugand alcohol-fuelled binge, Brian McGrattan remembers clearly when the highest point in his career and the lowest point of his life intersected.
“It was the day I decided to go for treatment, the lowest of lows,” said McGrattan of a day that forever shaped his life.
“I was broken and beaten down. When you’re 27 years old and you can’t look in the mirror because you’re disgusted with who you have become ...
“I’m at the top of my profession, doing what I wanted to do since I was three or four years old. And you get to the point you are so sick of who you’ve become and you can’t look at yourself while you’re brushing your teeth, it was the right time.”
The right time to finally reach for help. But who to call? Who might understand? Who can help? Nine teams, nine years and one transformative stint in rehab later, McGrattan now knows exactly what a player in that position should do. Call him. Because of his high-profile journey through the league’s substance-abuse program, McGrattan has been asked to be there for a handful of NHLers over the years, helping straighten out the wayward lives of Jordin Tootoo, Rich Clune and Flames winger Micheal Ferland.
And now he’ll be closer than ever for those searching for a life-saving teammate.
Hired Wednesday by the Calgary Flames player development staff in the role of player assistance, the 36-year-old McGrattan will work with all Flames players and prospects to provide support and guidance on and off the ice.
“I’ve always felt that a position like this should be mandatory on every team,” said McGrattan, who spent the last three years of his NHL career in Calgary, speaking often about how he hoped to help wayward athletes upon retirement.
“In the NFL, every single team has one. The Flames are at the forefront of this and leading by example.”
With mental health being pushed into the spotlight so often of late, McGrattan’s chief role will be to simply give players someone to lean on without fear of repercussions or judging. Be it stress, fatigue, alcohol abuse or anything else troubling players, the idea is he’ll be able to help.
“It was more or less years I wanted someone to talk to, but there was never anybody in any position on any team to talk to. I did it all on my own,” said McGrattan, whose career as one of the toughest men in the game ended in the spring when he retired following one season in England.
“Obviously as a player you’re afraid to go to management because you’re thinking, ‘My career is on the line.’ If I tell them I have a drug and alcohol problem, I’m thinking the first thing they’re going to say is, ‘Let’s get rid of him — he’s a problem.’”
But, as he points out, it was the complete opposite.
Coyotes GM Don Maloney was nothing but helpful and empathetic, as was assistant GM Brad Treliving and San Antonio coach Ray Edwards. All three men are now with the Flames, which is a testament to the character McGrattan has exhibited under their charge.
Further proof of that came when McGrattan reached out to struggling Flames hopeful Emile Poirier, guiding him through rehab and helping him afterward.
“I reached out because it’s the right thing to do,” said McGrattan of the 22-year-old firstrounder whose career now has a chance to get back on track
“I knew him a little bit from playing with him. When I had my struggles, I had no one to reach out to and knew nothing. Emile will always be part of me and what I do. A lot of credit will go to him for all the work he’s done this summer. I’m excited to see how he does in camp.”
McGrattan also played a significant role in helping Ferland deal with the demons he’d previously fought alone for years.
“You never know what other guys are battling in terms of personal issues and I think it helps having guys like me, Grats and Emile in an organization that you can come in and talk to,” said Ferland who did a rehab stint in 2014.
“I know talking with (Poirier) made it easy for him and it was easier for me with Grats here. I think that’s awesome.
“You know he’s been through what you’ve been through. You know he’s had dark days and you know you can talk to him and there are similarities. There’s always something that bothers everyone. It’s always good to get stuff off your chest and it’s easier to talk to someone who has gone through what you’re going through.”
Forever thankful he was able to navigate through the choppy waters substance abuse threw his way, the clean and sober husband and father of two-yearold Gabe is also appreciative of the Flames for the opportunity to follow his passion.
Now, more than ever, looking at himself in the mirror provokes plenty of well-earned smiles.