The one-handed player

HANOVER, Germany – Veni, vedi, vici – This statement certainly applies in many ways when it comes to St. Thomas, Ontario native Scott Stafford. 

The 25-year-old winger just completed his first professional sojourn to Europe after spending the majority of the season with the Dundas Real McCoys of the Canadian ACH. In just seven games in a new team, league and country, Stafford collected a goal and four assists. Good, but modest numbers at Germany’s third level of professional play, one that was an adjustment from the get-go. 

“I like the size of the ice. I try to be one of the stronger skaters. A big difference is that I’ve been used to playing with older, more experienced players on smaller ice surfaces,” Stafford said. “Now I’ve got more space, both to manoeuvre and to cover. The team also has a lot of guys younger than me – which requires a different approach.” 

What most didn’t necessarily suspect with Stafford’s arrival was the incredible amount of media attention he’d receive from a number of not only local, but also national and even international media outlets. This came within weeks. Most Canadian pro hockey players playing in Europe won’t draw that much media attention in a year. 

But then again, one-handed professional hockey players aren’t exactly growing on trees. 

Born without a left hand, Stafford has grown up loving the sport of ice hockey and finding ways to participate and evenly capably excel despite being one hand shy of what most players see as a requirement to play the sport. Defeating the odds at every level, Stafford has continued plugging away at his dream to play professional hockey and this winter, it became a reality.