 Nyorai mberi kweiyi ndima - Stafford akatamba paShattuck-Saint Marys muFaribault, Minnesota, kwemakore maviri uye akatamba muchikwata chenyika cheUS pa2003 IIHF World U18 Championships. Akabva atamba kwemwaka mitatu paYunivhesiti yeNorth Dakota uye pachikwata chenyika cheUS mu2004uye 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Kutevera mwaka wake wekutanga, Stafford akasarudzwa 13th yakazara mu2004 NHL Entry Draft neBuffalo Sabres. Mushure memamwe mwaka miviri, akasaina chibvumirano chehunyanzvi neSabres muna 2006, achisiya mwaka wake wekupedzisira kuYunivhesiti yeNorth Dakota. Stafford akapedza makore ake matatu ekoreji aine 118 mapoinzi 48 zvibodzwa uye 70 anobatsira. 