McGrattan after brutal knockout in AHL game: 'Just part of fighting'
After being knocked unconscious in a harrowing scene on AHL ice Tuesday night, long-time pro hockey fighter Brian McGrattan is already looking forward to his return.
Thanks for all the msgs. Everything is fine i am not dead and will be back shortly!! Been around a long time and know the risks!!
— brian mcgrattan (@bigern10) January 20, 2016
McGrattan, with his bearings in tact, was available for interview less than 24 hours after the incident, telling TSN 1050 that the CT scans and X-rays performed turned out "all clear."
He continued, saying it's "just part of fighting," and that "there's a couple spots there on your chin, if you get tagged, you're going down. That's the way it is."
McGrattan also defended fighting's place in the minor leagues, though he acknowledged that fisticuffs can "take away" from the NHL game.
The 34-year-old has fought 245 times in a career spanning three decades.
He opened up about his struggles with sobriety in an interview with the Calgary Flames' official website earlier this season.