Evan McGrath, (born January 14, 1986) is a Canadian-Polish former professional ice hockey player, who most notably played in the American Hockey League (AHL). He currently plays senior men's hockey with the Wentworth Gryphins of the Allan Cup Hockey (ACH).
Playing career
An effective offensive player with the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers, McGrath was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 4th round (128th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The Wings' organization regarding McGrath as a potential future power forward, though he has thus far had some difficulty adjusting to the pro game.[1] By the end of the 2009-10 season he was reassigned to the Syracuse Crunch and was not qualified prior to free agency, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.
On September 17, 2010, it was announced that McGrath had signed with VIK Västerås HK of the HockeyAllsvenskan.[2] In 2011, Evan McGrath signed with Swedish team IK Oskarshamn. And on April 18, 2013, it was announced the McGrath had signed a contract with Frölunda HC.[3]
He also spent the 2014–15 campaign in Sweden, again playing for VIK Västerås HK before transferring to fellow Allsvenskan team IK Oskarshamn.
The 2015–16 season saw him turn out for HC Thurgau of the National League B,[4] the second-tier of Swiss ice hockey. He tallied 11 goals and 25 assists in 25 NLB games.
In April 2016, EC VSV of the Austrian top-flight EBEL signed McGrath for the 2016–17 season.[5] In his debut season with Villach, McGrath appeared in 49 games and contributed with 13 goals and 37 points. With Villach falling out of playoff contention, McGrath was not tendered a contract to remain with the club.[6]
On July 18, 2017, McGrath was offered a contract on a try-out basis with German outfit, Adler Mannheim of the DEL,[7] but was waived in early September 2017.[8] He signed with German second-division side Kassel Huskies shortly after.[9]
McGrath then played for the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) in the 2018–19 season. Following his one-year tenure in the U.K., McGrath announced his retirement after a professional hockey career that lasted thirteen seasons (2006 to 2019).