Playing career

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).

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1991-92	Kingston Frontenacs	OHL		62	27	39	66	37		—	—	—	—	—
1992-93	Kingston Frontenacs	OHL		58	55	54	109	125		16	11	18	29	42
1993-94	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		84	13	29	42	123		—	—	—	—	—
1994-95	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		46	7	20	27	89		—	—	—	—	—
1995-96	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		82	17	21	38	105		6	0	2	2	27
1996-97	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		82	30	32	62	201		—	—	—	—	—
1997-98	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		82	22	40	62	159		5	2	0	2	10
1998-99	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		26	1	7	8	41		—	—	—	—	—
1998-99	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		52	7	19	26	102		—	—	—	—	—
1999-00	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		58	14	27	41	121		—	—	—	—	—
1999-00	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		14	1	7	8	15		5	0	1	1	4
2000-01	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		82	19	21	40	102		13	6	4	10	14
2001-02	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		82	15	24	39	75		—	—	—	—	—
2002-03	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		66	15	29	44	86		—	—	—	—	—
2002-03	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		14	0	1	1	21		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		68	11	18	29	93		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		13	2	1	3	18		11	0	0	0	27
2005-06	Florida Panthers	NHL		76	17	22	39	104		—	—	—	—	—
2006-07	Florida Panthers	NHL		81	13	22	35	94		—	—	—	—	—
2007-08	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		60	10	11	21	77		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		18	0	2	2	10		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	Norfolk Admirals	AHL		24	3	12	15	8		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		6	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				1,092	214	354	568	1,638		40	8	7	15	82
OHL totals				120	82	93	175	162		16	11	18	29	42

[ Source: Wikipedia ]