Senators Artcles: McGrattan has fighting chance to reach record
March 24, 2005

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Brian Moritz of Press Connects.com

McGrattan has fighting chance to reach record

B-Sens' enforcer close to AHL penalty mark

BY BRIAN MORITZ

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- Brian McGrattan is on a quest.

In a lifetime spent playing hockey, he has never set a record -- at any level. That will likely change in the next month.

McGrattan, the Binghamton Senators' right winger and designated fighter, is nearing the AHL single-season record for penalty minutes. Heading into this weekend's two-game series at Norfolk, McGrattan has 463 penalty minutes. He's 60 short of breaking the record held by Dennis Bonvie, the former Senators enforcer who set the mark while playing for Hamilton 10 seasons ago.

"I'll get it," McGrattan said after Wednesday morning's practice at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. "I've got to keep getting those five-minute (fighting penalties) to get close to the record. I can't be getting minor (penalties). I'll have to get in probably 13-14 fights in these last 12 games. If I want to get it, that's the way to get it."

McGrattan is more than a fighter. He's a respected, physical presence for the Senators, who enter the weekend battling Philadelphia and Norfolk for first place in the East Division.

"He can change the outlook of a game and the pace of a game in one shift," center Jason Spezza said.

Senators co-coach John Paddock added, " 'Grats' is sort of our lone big guy. At this time of year, the games get tougher and harder fought. We expect contributions from everyone, and just his physical presence and ability to finish checks on defensemen will be very important for our game."

At 6-foot-5 and 226 pounds, with long stringy hair hanging over his eyes and scarred knuckles, McGrattan cuts a naturally imposing figure. But he has earned his status as one of the league's top enforcers.

"Not bragging or anything, but I think I'm one of the top three (fighters) in the league," McGrattan said. "Last year, I probably wasn't in the top 10."

The irony of the record chase is that Bonvie played a large part in McGrattan's emergence as a top enforcer. Two seasons ago, they were teammates. Bonvie, a Senators fan favorite before being traded, schooled then-rookie McGrattan in the finer points of fighting.

"You've got to fight a lot to get good at it," McGrattan said. "You get knocked out, you're not going to do the same thing the next time."

McGrattan's always had the size to be a great fighter, and he boxes and kickboxes in the offseason to hone his technique.

This season, he's been a consistent performer. One of his more memorable efforts came earlier this month at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, when he had a one-punch knockout of Mike Sgroi, who earlier in the season had called McGrattan a coward for not fighting him (McGrattan was recovering from a concussion at the time).

"I think he has confidence he can do it, just like Spez (Spezza) has confidence he can do things with the puck," Paddock said. "He's been around the league, and he's got a little strut to him. He understands that he's as tough as anybody."

McGrattan's also learned how to pick his spots. He keeps an eye out for any opposing players who are doing a little too much clutching and grabbing on the team's big guns, anybody taking cheap shots at a Sens' player, or a sluggish effort by his own team.

"If the team's flat or doesn't start out good, and Grats goes out and beats somebody up, it definitely gets guys going and gets everyone's blood going," Spezza said. "It's good for the team, it's good for the game."

McGrattan's a respected figure in the locker room, for both his pugilism and his professionalism. He's scored six goals, two of which were game-winners.

"There's guys in this league who can't even skate and shoot, they're strictly fighters," McGrattan said. "I don't think I'm that. I bring a little bit more to the table. I can hit and play on the power play. Some guys get one shift a game, and they fight and that's it. John and Dave (Cameron, Senators' co-coach) have thrown me in different situations."

McGrattan is on the verge of history, but he has got to be careful in chasing it. His next game misconduct will earn him an automatic five-game suspension, which would be a huge blow to the Senators as they chase the division title.

"I've really got to watch out," McGrattan said. "I can't get too crazy."