This week in 2009 (July 11), the Calgary Flames signed Brian McGratten.

It was his first of two stints with the club and while stop one in Calgary was only one year, it set the stage for his return years later.

That 2009-10 season saw McGratten play a limited role for the Flames averaging 3:46 TOI in 34 games, but saw him pile up 86 PIM in part thanks to 14 fights. He found the net once adding three assists, too, but left the team in free agency.

He spent the 2010-11 season in the AHL, before joining the Nashville Predators in 2011 through waivers where he stayed for parts of three seasons. McGratten returned to Calgary in a Feb. 2013 trade which saw the Flames flip Joe Piskula for him.

He became a regular in the lineup in the 2013-14 season playing a career-high 76 games as he tacked on 100 PIM. Not only that, but he scored career highs in goals (4), assists (also 4) and points (8).

After retiring from playing in 2017, McGratten can still be found around the Calgary Flames as a part of the clubs development staff. He’s also become a massive part of the league’s substance abuse program after McGratten suffered from alcohol addiction early in his career.

On Twitter: @zjlaing