Predators' Brian McGrattan has reasons to smile

• McGrattan entered rehab while with the Coyotes
• He quickly bonded with Predators teammates after being claims off waivers last season
• He says he would like to be an addictions counselor after his hockey career

NASHVILLE - Brian McGrattan is unintentionally intimidating. His 6-4, 235-pound frame is etched in body art. His face seems to wear an almost permanent scowl.

But ask the Nashville Predators tough guy about Year Four of his new life and a smile purses his lips.

"I made it back to the NHL, got engaged at Christmas, re-signed in July, got married in July, so it has all been good," he said. "I'm a firm believer that if you do the right thing then good things will happen for you."

Dec. 4 was a big day for McGrattan. It was the day he hit his fourth year of sobriety — Year Four, as he likes to call it. And with that moment came reflection about his path and how he has become the player, and man, he is today.

On the anniversary, he posted the news on Twitter and received scores of messages of support and congratulations from his friends around the NHL.

"If you work hard and have a good attitude, you will achieve a good balance and things will go your way, he said.

Day One of McGrattan's journey happened while he was with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2008, and he will always hold onto that moment.

"I don't want to forget," he said. "I was on the tail end of a bender, and I just woke up. It was kind of the only clarity I've had in the last 10 years. I called my mom at work and was pretty upset. I was crying."

When McGrattan decided to enter rehab, he said, he felt embarrassed, wondering what the rest of the hockey world would think of him. But after a couple of weeks, he realized that he needed to accept his decision, and that if he did, others would understand.

"Now it's something I'm very proud of," McGrattan said. "It's something I wear on my sleeve and something I'm not embarrassed of. It's something I'm very happy I have."

When the Predators claimed McGrattan off waivers on Oct. 11, 2011, they were looking for an intimidating presence to add to their lineup. But they also found someone who quickly bonded with his teammates — especially captain Shea Weber, who often jokes and laughs with McGrattan in the dressing room.

"I just played against him a few times when he had his red mohawk in Calgary," Weber said. "I never knew anything except he was tough. I got to know him and liked him a lot as a person and as a teammate as well. He does a great job on the ice, and we're fortunate to have him."

McGrattan also helped mentor former Predators forward Jordin Tootoo, who wasn't even a year sober when McGrattan came to Nashville. They bonded, and through helping Tootoo, McGrattan saw that he could aid others as an addictions counselor when his playing career is over.

"I'm at a point now in my life where I can give back and help people that were in the situation I was in," McGrattan said. "I've been given an opportunity to do that."

Josh Cooper also writes for The (Nashville) Tennessean