Local Player Hurt in Stick Incident

Garrett Stafford, a West Los Angeles native who played youth hockey for the Junior Kings and Junior Ducks, was released from a hospital in Hamilton, Canada, on Saturday after being struck on the side of the head by a two-handed swing of an opponent’s stick during an American Hockey League playoff game.

Stafford, 24, was playing for the Cleveland Barons -- the San Jose Sharks’ top affiliate -- against the Montreal Canadiens’ farm team on Friday when he got tangled with Hamilton Bulldog forward Alexander Perezhogin.

Stafford swung his stick at Perezhogin, grazing the other player’s helmet. Stafford was on his knees when Perezhogin responded with a baseball-style swing. Stafford dropped to the ice, bleeding heavily and convulsing before he was carried off.

Stafford, a member of the AHL’s all-rookie team, suffered a concussion and a 20-stitch gash on his face. However, he was able to attend his team’s final playoff game Sunday.

Perezhogin, considered one of the Canadiens’ top prospects, was suspended indefinitely by the AHL. He may face criminal charges, pending a police investigation.

Stafford issued a statement thanking his family, friends and medical personnel.

He added, “I am just trying to recover and regain my strength so that, hopefully, I will be back to playing hockey in the near future.... I am leaving it up to the Hamilton authorities to decide the proper course of action in regards to this matter.”

-- Helene Elliott