Shot Left Role Ice hockey player Position Centerman Name Chris Gratton Spouse Stephanie Gratton | Playing career Weight 104 kg Height 1.93 m Shoots Left-handed | |
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NHL Draft 3rd overall, 1993Tampa Bay Lightning Played for | ||
Chris Gratton vs Ian Laperriere
Christopher A. Gratton (born July 5, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who last played with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. He is the cousin of Josh Gratton, who had also briefly played in the NHL as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers and the Phoenix Coyotes.
Contents
- Chris Gratton vs Ian Laperriere
- Top lightning players chris gratton
- Junior Hockey
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Second Stint with Lightning
- Buffalo Sabres
- Florida Panthers
- Return to Tampa Bay Lightning
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Personal life
- References
Top lightning players chris gratton
Junior Hockey
Gratton played his minor hockey in his hometown of Brantford, playing for such programs as the Brantford Nodrofsky Steelers (same program Wayne Gretzky played in many years earlier) and the Brantford CKPC Knights. As a 15-year-old, he played one season with the Jr B Brantford Classics.
In 1991, Gratton was selected third overall in the OHL Priority Selection by the Kingston Frontenacs. After his rookie year in the OHL, Gratton received the Emms Family Award as rookie of the year. In 1993, he was selected third overall in the NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Gratton made his NHL debut for the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 6, 1993 against the New Jersey Devils. He recorded his first career point (a powerplay assist on a Bob Beers goal) in his second game against the New York Rangers the next night. He scored his first career goal against Robb Stauber of the Los Angeles Kings in a 4-3 Lightning loss on October 20, 1993
Philadelphia Flyers
In 1997 Gratton signed with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent after four seasons with the Lightning, earning a $9 million signing bonus. In 1997–98, Gratton matched his career high of 62 points and recorded a career-best plus/minus rating of +11. Gratton was traded back to Tampa Bay the next season.
Second Stint with Lightning
Gratton served as Tampa Bay's captain during the 1999–2000 NHL season until his trade in March, 2000, when Tampa Bay traded Gratton to the Buffalo Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres
Gratton would play for the Buffalo Sabres from March 2000, till March, 2003, when the Sabres traded him to the Phoenix Coyotes. One year later on March 9, 2004, Phoenix traded Gratton, along with Ossi Vaananen and a second round draft pick (Paul Stastny) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft to the Colorado Avalanche for Derek Morris and Keith Ballard.
Florida Panthers
After the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Gratton signed a one-year contract with the Florida Panthers. Gratton signed a two-year contract extension with the Panthers in March, 2006. He was traded back to the Lightning again on June 13, 2007, in exchange for a second round draft pick (Florida selected Jacob Markström with the draft pick).
Return to Tampa Bay Lightning
During the 2007–08 season, Gratton scored 21 points in 60 games before tearing the acetabular labrum in his left hip which required season-ending surgery. Gratton re-signed with the Lightning for the 2008–09 season but was waived in December and was assigned to Tampa's American Hockey League affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Gratton was claimed off of re-entry waivers on February 21, 2009, by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played in six games for Columbus, recording an assist, before retiring in 2009.
Personal life
Gratton is co-owner of the Florida Jr. Blades Organization (in the 29-team Empire Junior Hockey League).