Garrett Stafford

Number: 7
Position: Defense
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 165
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Birthdate: 1/28/80
Last Team: Anaheim Jr. Ducks

Player Biography

Garrett comes all the way from Los Angeles, California to join the Buccaneers this season. He attended the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies last year, and played for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks.

Sarah: How did you feel last night when you got cheered by so many fans in Waterloo?

Garrett Stafford: It felt great, I love being booed.

Sarah: How do you feel about Iowa compared to L.A.?

Stafford: It's slower, but I guess that's good for me. I like it.

Sarah: You like it? It's very different then?

Stafford: Ya, it is.

Sarah: Explain what you mean by slower.

Stafford: It's pretty hectic in L.A. People are a lot calmer here. The people are a lot nicer here and willing to help you out.

Sarah: How do you manage your time with high school and hockey?

Stafford: Very carefully, it's very hard. I have a pretty high GPA. It was actually easier in L.A., much easier. I just go along doing my best.

Sarah: I heard that you played a game on the Johnston Roller Hockey League, is this true?

Stafford: Ya.

Sarah: Did you play roller hockey?

Stafford: Yes, I did. Our team won nationals this year in Chicago.

Sarah: How old were you when you started playing hockey?

Stafford: Eight.

Sarah: Why did you start?

Stafford: It's a pretty funny story. My mom took me public skating when I was about six, I think. I saw the Kings practice so I couldn't skate, I said that's what I wanted to do. So my mom made me learn how to roller skate for two years and then I finally started playing.

Sarah: Have you always played defense?

Stafford: No actually I've been playing defense for about four years. I played forward for my first four years.

Sarah: What did you like better?

Stafford: Defense.

Sarah: What made you decide to come to the Buccaneers?

Stafford: Well I heard it's a great organization, which it is. I'd like to play in the USHL to get a scholarship for college.

Sarah: Did you have any other choices?

Stafford: Ya, I had a few choices. Lincoln wanted me, Rochester. I could have gone to the Soo in Michigan, Seattle, Surrey Eagles in the BCJHL. There's a couple of other teams, it's not important.

Sarah: Tell me about some of the past teams you've played for?

Stafford: They've mainly been all through California. California Jr. Kings, California Wildcats, Anaheim Jr. Ducks. I played on Select 15 and Select 16. I played on team USA for the Vancouver Super Series. That's pretty much it.

Sarah: Do you have a favorite pro and/or college team?

Stafford: I have a few actually. I like Colorado College, University of Michigan, Boston
University, those are all really good.

Sarah: Do you have a favorite pro team?

Stafford: Ah, the Ducks. Ya, I like the Ducks.

Sarah: Who's your favorite player

Stafford: In the NHL?

Sarah: From anywhere, it doesn't matter.

Stafford: Probably Steve Duchesne, I'd have to say.

Sarah: Besides hockey tell me about some of your other hobbies.

Stafford: Other hobbies? Do you mean before I played hockey? (Garrett laughs) I'm really into music. That's really all I have time for, especially here.

Sarah: What are a few of your goals for the future?

Stafford: To get bigger in my weight size and improve my game by learning with this team out here. And to improve my game all around basically. To get good grades so I can look good to a college.

Sarah: Finish this sentence: The fans would be surprised to know that I...

Stafford: That I am from Los Angeles.