[MissTeeks]

An article about McGrattan helping others in the NHL with alcohol problems:

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/03/04...oholics-in-nhl

But the Calgary Flames winger wanted to take his passion for helping others turn their lives around to another level.
So, he approached the NHL.
“I had a meeting with the (league’s substance abuse program’s) doctors in October and asked if I could give them a hand,” McGrattan said of one of many bold steps he’s taken since he had the realization that his life was spinning out of control because of addiction.
“I’ve been talking to Alcoholics Anonymous groups, and I go back to my treatment centre I went to and talk to the people there to tell them my story. I feel it comes to me pretty naturally. I spoke to my parents about it in the summer, and post-hockey it’s one of my biggest interests. As the years have gone on, I’ve been more vocal about it, and I feel the more I can give back and help, the more I can save lives.”

“Being a player, they can relate to me,” said the soft-spoken tough-guy.
“The league does have a hotline, and if they feel more comfortable talking to me, my phone is always on. I don’t judge because I can’t point the finger. I just want to listen and help.”
So much so that he has designs to spend part of his summer in a classroom, working towards a university degree in addiction counselling. It’s quite a departure from the attitude and lifestyle that guided him recklessly through the first half of his eight-year NHL career.

“Being an alcoholic, alcoholics help one another,” said McGrattan, whose first congratulatory text came from Tootoo after he was traded by the Predators to the Flames.
“He helped me almost as much as I helped him. He’s been clean two years in December and I was sober four years the beginning of December. We still have a close friendship, and it’s good to lean on one another and have friends who can relate to you at a level most other people can’t.”

A good guy.