DALLAS — Turns out, Jason Garrison is versatile at the blue line — and on the red carpet.
The new Lightning defenseman joined actor girlfriend Katie Cassidy (Arrow, Taken) last month at New York Fashion Week, catching a few shows and after parties. One day he went stylish with a tux, the next day a simple T-shirt, jeans and a cap.
"I actually enjoy it," Garrison said. "And I kind of have a sort of interest in that kind of stuff. So it was a good little weekend getaway."
Garrison, 29, brings a fresh look to the Tampa Bay defense. The Lightning was pleasantly surprised it could acquire him from Vancouver for a second-round pick on Day 1 of the June draft.
In Garrison, who is 6 feet 2, 218 pounds, the Lightning has another steady, stay-at-home defenseman who can move the puck, play hard in the corners and log a lot of minutes. He can play in all situations, with his booming left-handed shot a boon for the second power play unit.
"That guy has a knee-breaker shot," assistant coach Steve Thomas said. "He's got a bomb."
Though Garrison, a White Rock, B.C. native, was initially stung to get traded by his hometown Canucks after just two seasons, he has enjoyed the bay area and fit right in with the Lightning. Tampa Bay has him under contract through 2017-18 (with a $4.6 million annual cap hit).
"It feels like home," he said.
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Garrison grew up in White Rock, a small community on British Columbia's coast, roughly an hour from Vancouver.
He played rugby, basketball and volleyball, since his high school didn't have hockey or football, and found a passion for snowboarding. It wasn't until his years in midget ranks that Garrison put his full attention on hockey, though he "never thought it'd be possible" to play in the NHL.
"I'm very fortunate," he said.
Garrison realized he had a rocket slap shot at 15, playing roller hockey with friends.
"I remember having a shot that came from nowhere," he said. "I was like, 'Holy smokes,' this is good to have."
Garrison's shot is so heavy, former Canucks (and Lightning) coach John Tortorella had him use a "half-shot" in practices. He has been careful in Tampa Bay camp, too. "I don't think I'll be taking any kind of shot when (captain Steven Stamkos) is playing high wing," Garrison quipped.
Garrison's shot has served him well, including a career-high 16 goals with the Panthers in 2011-12. He signed with Florida as an undrafted free agent in 2008 after three seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The Lightning coveted Garrison for years, trying to sign him when he was a free agent in 2012; he chose a six-year deal with Vancouver.
"It was very close," Garrison said. "It was a crazy day. At the time, my mentality was, it didn't work out in Florida, so I wanted a complete change of scenery, re-start this whole thing."
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Explore all your optionsGarrison enjoyed his time in Vancouver. But the Canucks, wanting to free up some salary, asked him to waive his no-trade clause. Still, he has fond memories of his time at home.
"There's a lot of cool things guys don't get to experience,' he said. "Obviously I met a lot of great people, on that team there are some of my closest friends. Those are a couple years I'll never forget."
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In Vancouver, Garrison met Cassidy, 27, who was filming there two years ago.
They both have demanding schedules — and plenty of travel — but Garrison said he has seen Cassidy in action. He was impressed how she and other actors memorize lines and "can become someone totally different" in character.
But with Garrison acknowledging Cassidy's business is more "worldwide" than his, it's easy to tell who gets noticed more by strangers when they're walking together on the street.
"It definitely ranges," Garrison said with a smile. "In Vancouver, it might be more me, but that might be the only place."