Best of Both Worlds for Stafford

Not even a breakthrough performance with the gold medal-winning United States at the World Junior Championships was enough to assure gritty forward Drew Stafford of a first round selection in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. In fact, it was not known at the time whether he would be available at all.

Stafford, a strapping centerman with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, was subject to NCAA conditions that outlined that he would be forced to forego his college eligibility if he chose to enter the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. This put considerable pressure on players in his situation, and ultimately the league opted to lift the ban due to seemingly undivided opposition from parents, agents and media, allowing the likes of Stafford, Michigan State’s A. J. Thelen and Bowling Green’s Jonathan Sigalet to get drafted and stay with their current club.

Stafford says that he is thankful for the sudden shift in philosophy.

“It would have been one of the hardest decisions I would have had to make in my life. I would have waited until the last possible moment to decide,” explains the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-raised draft prospect. “If they hadn’t (overturned the rule), Red Deer owns my Canadian Hockey League rights, or I would have looked at other options.”

The possibility of playing in the CHL is all in hindsight, as Stafford stands to be selected within the first fifteen picks of the National Hockey League Entry Draft in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Staffy” - as he is affectionately known by teammates – has secured the reputation of being one of the premiere potential power forwards available. NHL clubs will no doubt find it difficult to pass on his size, strength, and ability to make crafty plays - skills he developed with the help of his father Gordon, who played professional hockey in the 1980’s, and by virtue of admiration of his favorite NHL’ers, such as Edmonton Oilers’ forward Ryan Smyth.

“My uncle (Barrie Stafford) is the equipment manager for the Oilers. I lived there for a year when I was fourteen, worked at their training camps and got to meet the guys there”, says Stafford. “(Smyth) is the guy I looked up to the most for sure.”

Drawing from Smyth’s example, Stafford made a name for himself, gradually developing into a budding two-way force. A standout with Shattuck-St. Mary’s as a 17-year old, he earned praise for his puck skills and unrelenting style of play. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward was awarded the school’s best all-around athlete honours, while helping to lead Shattuck to a national championship along with phenom Sidney Crosby.

The two would later share the ice again, but as opponents at the 2004 World Junior Championships in Finland.

“It’s weird playing against friends like that but as soon as the puck drops he’s just another player”, says Stafford of his experience playing against Crosby on the international stage.

Stafford and the United States would come away with their first ever gold medal at the under-20 event with an inspired third period come-from-behind effort against Team Canada.

Ultimately a vital cog to the team’s success, Stafford was not originally part of the team’s plans.

“After the training camp in August I was named as a reserve on the team,” reminisces Stafford. “Some guys got hurt and I was fortunate enough to get a call and I knew it would be a huge opportunity. I knew I had to prepare for the one chance I was going to get.

“It was an all-star team, and to play as well as I did and be able to contribute to the team’s success was just incredible. To be the best junior team in the world is an incredible feeling.”

Although one of the youngest players on that roster, Stafford will be expected to shoulder much of the load in terms of scoring and leadership for a younger American team at the tournament next winter, one he looks forward to with great excitement.

“The biggest thing for next year is getting ready for the World Juniors at home in Grand Forks”, said Stafford, “I still have a few steps to go, but (now) I know how to win a championship.”