Garrett Stafford was born January 28m 1980 in Los Angeles, California. Undrafted, the 6'0 defenseman is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire.
A hard working forward, Stafford spent four years at the University of New Hampshire before he signed as a free agent with San Jose's AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Barons in 2003. By the end of his rookie professional season in the league, he had been named to PlanetUSA in the AHL All-Star Game, was an AHL Second-Team All-Star, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team member. He continued to toil in the minors for the next three seasons with the Sharks' AHL affiliates, but failed to match his 46-point rookie campaign in 2003-04.
In the summer of 2007, Stafford signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings. During his first season with the Red Wings, he spent the majority of his time with the club's AHL affiliate, but managed to make his NHL debut with the Red Wings in a February 23, 2008 game against Vancouver.
On July 3, 2008 Stafford signed as a free agent with the Dallas Stars. He would spend the majority of the following two seasons in the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins and then the Texas Stars producing solid offensive numbers from the back end.
On July 3, 2010, Stafford was signed as a free agent by the Phoenix Coyotes to a one-year contract. He would once again be assigned to the AHL and once again produce solid offensive numbers. He would see action in two games for the Coyotes during the 2010-11, failing to record a point.
Shortly before the start of the 2011-12 season Stafford was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with Petteri Nokelainen in exchange for Brock Trotter and a draft pick.
In the summer of 2012 Stafford signed on to join the Washington Capitals and joined the club's AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.
On April 2, 2013, Stafford was traded by the Capitals to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Dane Byers.
