Brian "BIG ERN" McGrattan

[puckluck2]

Love Big Ern and I hate goons. I really believe he's the glue in that room.

[getbak]

It looks like he's been wearing the same shoulder pads since he was 6.

[Hanna Sniper]

At the start of next season there should be a letter A on the front of his jersey

[psicodude]

I truly believe that Big Ern is a big part of the success this team has enjoyed this year because he is setting such a great example for the kids. You can tell that he respects himself and others, plays with a massive amount of pride (regardless of role), and lives his life with his heart on his sleeve. For example, the Torts in the hallway incident. The way he kept his cool and didn't allow things to get our of control was masterful. He was also the first one out to greet Stajan after his emotional penalty shot goal.

You can see that he is teaching everyone around him that respect needs to be paid to the game and everyone who plays it. Honestly, he is what is missing from teams like the Oilers and Canucks. The example of how to be a true professional.

He deserves a big raise next year and I hope he retires a Flame.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

I have so much respect for this guy. Great teammate and watchdog for the young guys, knowing that liberties won't be taken and they can just play their game.

Love that he's a Flame, and I hope he gets an extension.

[goodyear]

For one game this year, the Flames should give him an 'A'! (maybe the last home game of the year?)

BTW, who makes that call? Hartley?

[Southside]

Originally Posted by Francis's Hairpiece

I have so much respect for this guy. Great teammate and watchdog for the young guys, knowing that liberties won't be taken and they can just play their game.

Love that he's a Flame, and I hope he gets an extension.

He is signed through next season.

[Enoch Root]

I not only fully endorse this thread, but for the past couple weeks, I have said - several times - that I think McGrattan is an absolutely vital and integral part of tis team and I would sign him for life. He is LOVED by his tem-mates and he loves and protects them like family.

He is passionate, hard working, and always has everyone's backs.

I never put a name on the back of my jerseys - I root for the team, not specific players - but I have been thinking for the past few weeks that I should get a McGrattan jersey.

The guy is flat out awesome! I cannot imagine a better team-mate.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Saw this RT on Flames twitter:



Source: https://twitter.com/rayjackson69

Do we have any Ireland guys on CP? Anybody want to claim this?

Our very own hockeyboi knew the value of Grats LONG time ago.

[btimbit]

Huge fan. This is the heart and soul guy that takes a team through the low points, and gives them that extra boost to win a championship. Like someone else in here mentioned, I also very rarely get a name on the back of my jersey's but this year I pulled the trigger on #16.

[schteve_d]

Absolutely. I really want to see McGrattan stick around. If not my favourite player, he is far and away my favourite personality on the team.

Heart and soul guy without question and exactly the kind of player and, more importantly, person we need on this team while we rebuild.

I hope to see him around for a while.

Whenever McGrattan threads come up, I always link to this section of his Wiki page:

By the time he began his second tenure with the Flames in 2013, he had been sober for over four years and become a mentor and friend to former Nashville teammate Jordin Tootoo in his own efforts to overcome similar addictions. McGrattan's experiences led to a desire to help others; he partnered with the NHL substance abuse program to act as a mentor for others who wanted the advice of a fellow player, and plans to spend his off-seasons earning a university degree in addiction counseling. McGrattan is also an advocate for anti-bullying charities and volunteers with Be The Game, a camp that supports underprivileged kids.

That's a stand-up guy, and one we are lucky to have donning our jersey.

[btimbit]

Contract up next year.

Re-sign this man!

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

At the start of next season there should be a letter A on the front of his jersey

I would 100% endorse this idea.

[StrykerSteve]

[troutman]

Career season for goals.

[Gaskal]

He has more goals than fights now since the brawl.

[Tyler12]

Godard was a treat, Mcgrats was awesome, alot on here argued about bench space...and we don't need fighters, they have a roll. Bitch about $$ you can't put a price on a fire starter. Can't deny he has a passion, we should never have let him go but thankfully he is back! He can play a puck!

[AcGold]

because he's terrifying and no one wants to fight him. Mcgrattan has developed a punch with his hand that holds the jersey that nobody else has down as good, he can daze guys with those little repeated shots before the opponent even gets a shot in.

I've seen Mcgrattan's training and he trains mma and boxing, his fighting right now is on such a higher level than pretty much everyone that no one wants to fight him. He was sitting on Hiller's head and no one would do anything, if that was Camalleri they'd be trying to kill him but Mcgrattan is feared by all.

[Itse]

I'm generally not a big fan of enforcers, but McGrattan was one guy I didn't mind coming back. And he's even better than 09-10. He's the rare enforcer that's easy for me to respect and like. He plays tough, he always tries his best to actually play hockey, and he's not out to injure anyway despite his role.

[The Yen Man]

Yup, love what the guy brings to the team. He may not play the big minutes, but I think having him in the dressing room is invaluable. I loved hearing about how close he is with Monahan, and how he's taken him under his wing.