Garrett Stafford Garrett Stafford ( born January 28 , 1980 ) is a professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently a part of the Edmonton Oilers organization . 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 . 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 . In the 2009 – 10 season he was assigned to Dallas ' AHL affiliate , the Texas Stars , and helped Texas reach the Calder Cup finals in its inaugural year . On July 3 , 2010 , Stafford was signed as a free agent by the Phoenix Coyotes to a one - year contract . On October 23 , 2011 , the Montreal Canadiens acquired Stafford and forward Petteri Nokelainen from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Brock Trotter and a seventh - round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft . Stafford was signed as a free agent to a one - year contract with the Washington Capitals on July 2 , 2012 . Due to the impending 2012 NHL lockout , he was directly assigned to AHL affiliate , the Hershey Bears , to begin the 2012 – 13 season . On April 2 , 2013 , Stafford was traded by the Capitals to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Dane Byers .