Chris Gratton was born on July 5, 1975 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada and became the son of Larry and Sharon Gratton. His older sister, Terri, was born two years prior to him. Chris started skating around the age of 3, started playing hockey around 4 or 5, and followed the Toronto Maple Leafs growing up. He idolized a hometown native, Wayne Gretzky, and he credits Gretzky as the one person that has made the greatest influence on his hockey career. When he was young, Chris thought about being a fireman when he grew up, and he was also always in the thick of things. 
"He'd come home from school for lunch all beat up," said Gratton's older sister, Terri..."He was always small compared to the other boys." Not anymore. Gratton, who sprouted about [the age of 15], is 6 feet [4] and [220] pounds. And he's strong. "He loves to lift weights," said Gratton's father, Larry. He also used to love to swear before his parents corrected him. "When he was 4 or 5, he picked up this nasty word," said his mother Sharon. "Every time he used the word, we would put a bar of soap in his mouth. One day he told me, 'Okay, don't get up. I'll get the bar of soap.'" - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, June 27, 1993). When Chris was 14 years of age, he realized that he could have a chance to make it into the NHL one day. 
He was playing Junior B hockey in Canada with boys older than him (14-21 years of age). In high school, at BCI in Brantford, Ontario, he'd leave school early to go play hockey. He later moved in with a billet family to play for the Kingston Frontenacs. Most of the games Chris played in, there were NHL scouts in the crowds, looking for their future players. "It's been a nerve-racking year," center Chris Gratton said. "You know every game all the scouts are in the stands watching. But it's been exciting. You dream about getting drafted and now it's so close." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, June 4, 1993). On June 26, 1993, his dream finally came true. At the 1993 NHL Entry Draft in Le Colisee in Quebec City, Quebec, Chris was drafted in the first round, third over-all by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ironically, Chris was fond of Tampa Bay’s logo and purchased a Lightning hat about a year prior to the 1993 Entry Draft and lost it two weeks before the draft as well. After Chris was drafted, he said smiling, "Now I have a new one." When it came down to what draft pick the Lightning was going to draft, Chris Pronger and Chris Gratton were two names that were mentioned days and days before the draft. 
Each met with then Lightning general manager Phil Espisito, and Chris said that talking to Esposito was "unique." "He asked me if my team was leading 10-2 and I had two goals, how would I play my last few shifts," Gratton said. "I told him I would try to continue to play a good two-way game. After the meeting, he pulled me to the side and said that I should always answer that question, 'I want to get three or four goals.'" Esposito said natural goal scorers always want to get more goals." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, June 26, 1993). "[And when Esposito asked Chris] why he goes over people instead of around them, Gratton said: "Because it's fun." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, June 27, 1993).
1993-1994
Chris is single...Enjoys playing golf and volleyball in his spare time...Considers winning the Gold Medal at the 1993 World Jr. Championships as his greatest thrill in hockey...Lists Cam Neely and Rick Tocchet as his favorite NHL players...Would like to continue his education in the off-season...His hometown of Brantford, Ontario is the same as Wayne Gretzky and Lightning prospect Brent Gretzky.
Chris's rookie season started on October 6, 1993 when the Lightning played the New Jersey Devils in New Jersey. When the Lightning traveled to New York to play the Rangers the next night, Chris received his first NHL assist. His first NHL goal was scored a few games later when the Los Angeles Kings visited Tampa Bay. On October 20, 1993, goalie Robb Stauber let by Chris's first NHL goal. Another highlight of Chris's rookie season was when he scored the game winning goal in ovetime vs the Islanders. "Gratton let loose a half slap shot that caught Islanders goalie Jamie McLennan off guard to give the Lightning a 4-3 overtime victory at the ThunderDome. "You always dream of scoring an overtime goal," Gratton said. "I hope I have a few more in me. I plan to punish myself this summer. I know what to expect at training camp. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I think I do have an `A' in me." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, April 13, 1994). He won the Victor Sports Award NHL Rookie of the Year and was honored at the Victor's 28th annual awards program on June 11, 1994, in Las Vegas. Chris was the youngest player in the NHL during this season and lived with Lightning teammate Rob Zamuner during this season as well. During the season, Chris also helped the Lightning's 1992 first round draft pick, native Czechoslovakian Roman Hamrlik, adjust to life in America. "I had to learn the language as well as learn to play the difficult level of hockey against the best players in the world." [says Hamrlik.] "Marc Bergevin, Chris Gratton and Petr Klima have helped me learn the language and helped me understand more about the North American lifestyle." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, June 29, 1994). "I don't know if I've helped him more or he's helped me more," Gratton said. "It's nice to be able to have somebody on the team your same age. It's nice to be able to act 18 and joke around. Sometimes when I joke around the older guys look at me funny." Hamrlik and Gratton, the only players on the team who aren't of legal drinking age, have chummed around, going fishing or to the movies. They sit together on the team bus, often trading CDs by the heavy metal and rock bands. - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, April 3, 1994). Right before the next season in September of 1995, Chris purchased his first house in Lutz, FL, and spent a lot of time in Tampa hanging out with Rudy Poeschek and Pat Jablonski. Later, he let the Lightning's 1994 draft pick, Jason Wiemer, live in his new home with him. He enjoyed golfing, weight training, and shopping.
1994-1995
Chris is single...Does many charitable appearances in Tampa Bay throughout the season...Enjoys playing golf and participates in many charitable gold tournaments during the off-season...Lists playing his first NHL game, at New Jersey on October 6 of last season, as his greatest thrill in hockey...His hometown of Brantford, Ontario is the same as Wayne Gretzky and Lightning prospect Brent Gretzky.
During Chris's second NHL season, 1994-1995 (the 'shortened season'), he played his 100th NHL game in Tampa Bay when the New York Rangers visited on February 20, 1995. Chris hadn't missed any NHL games until he got a bruised shoulder on April 2, 1995, which caused him to miss 2 games due to that injury.
1995-1996
Chris is single...Enjoys playing golf and working out during his spare time...Does many charitable appearances in the Tampa Bay area...Considers winning the 1993 World Junior Championship as the greatest thrill in his career...Lists Friends as his favorite TV show and the Orlando Magic as his favorite sports team.
During the 1995-1996 season, Chris was NHLPA.com's Player of the Day on Friday, February 16, 1996, particapated in NHL Breakout '96, and he appeared in his 200th NHL game when the Hartford Whalers (presently the Carolina Hurricanes) came to Tampa Bay on March 18, 1996. Chris started to struggle a little bit during this season, so then Lightning assistant coach Chris Reichart helped Chris out a bit. Reichart, who usually sat in a press box and radioed down to Lightning head coach his thoughts during a game, was now behind the bench. "I'm just positive reinforcement," Reichart said. "I tell him what he's doing good and tell him to stay concentrated." This 'Chris helping Chris' strategy worked out really well. Chris started to get into the games more by hitting and playing a good solid two-way game. A few games later, the Lightning put Chris and two other Lightning players, Jason Wiemer and Brian Bellows, on a line together and they were phenomenal. In only 6 games, this line produced 9 goals and 7 assists. During the season, the Lightning hosted their own Super Skills competition between the players and Chris broke the team's record for the hardest shot with a slap shot at 96.1 miles per hour. At the end of the season, Chris appeared in the playoffs for his first time. For the Lightning to make the playoffs, the Ottawa Senators had to beat the New Jersey Devils in their last game of the regular season. This game was a very tense game for Lightning players, eventhough they weren't even playing in it. ""Grats has a satellite dish," said [Lightning's Rob] Zamuner, who watched the Senators-Devils game at the home of teammate Chris Gratton, the same Chris Gratton who...swore he would not watch Saturday's game because the last time he watched the Devils they won. "When Ottawa scored to go ahead, we jumped up and down like little kids at a midget tournament. ...Oh, it feels so good. Feels so good."" - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, April 14, 1996). The Lightning was playing against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first series of games in the playoffs and was unfortunately defeated by them, 4 games to 2. In the third period of game 6, the Lightning's last game of the series, Chris received a 10 minute misconduct penalty. In result, he was escorted off the ice and his third NHL season would come to an end.
1996-1997
Chris is single...Enjoys playing golf and working out during his spare time...Is very active in charitable appearances in the Tampa Bay area...Considers winning the 1993 World Junior Championship as the greatest thrill in his career...Returned to Brantford, Ontario during the off-season.
Chris's next season, 1996-1997, was his best season as a Bolt. The season got started off great with his first ever hat trick in Toronto on October 12, 1996. "Growing up 45 minutes from here, this is the kind of night you dream about," said Gratton, still a bit dazed as he faced a semicircle of reporters in the visitor's locker room at one of hockey's last grand buildings. "Playing at Maple Leafs Gardens, with family and friends in the crowd - and getting a hat trick. This was special." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, October 14, 1996). Before this exciting night for Chris, he expierenced something a bit more scary the Friday before when the Lightning's plane was coming into a landing in Baltimore for a Washington Capitals' game. "The pilot aborted his first landing attempt, went back up and put the plane down on a second approach. "I didn't like that at all," said Gratton, who held the seat in front of him with a death grip. "My palms were sweating." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, October 15, 1996). Chris got a career high of 62 points for the season (which he tied during his 1997-1998 season), which consisted of 30 goals and 32 assists. Chris and fellow NHLer Keith Tkachuk were the only two NHL players this season to record 30 goals and have over 200 penalty minutes (Chris had 201 PIM). Chris's name was a hot topic during NHL2Night episodes near the end of the season. The show's hosts were always discussing how great Chris Gratton has been over the past few seasons, and this 1996-1997 season has certainly been his best so far. When the Lightning went on the road this season, Chris claims that he "seldom [ventured] out of his hotel room. ... "I'm big on room service. Room service and movies," he said. "I'll go to dinner with the guys once in a while, but I usually just head back to the room, watch a movie and go to bed. Kind of boring, I guess, but that's me. I'm not big on going out. I have my fun, but I just keep pretty much to myself."" - (Quoted from FLASH magazine, December 1996). After Chris's fourth outstanding season with the Bolts, he joined Team Canada at the World Championships and played with fellow Lightning teammate Rob Zamuner. Chris had 5 assists within the 11 games that he played to help Team Canada win the gold medal. During the off-season, Chris's contract expired and he became a free agent. The Lightning still had certain rights to Chris. For example, they could keep Chris if they matched any offer that was offered to Chris from any other team, and they could still trade him. Well, there was some 'ickyness' with this whole situation. The Flyers made Chris an offer and notified the NHL. Then a fax was sent to the Lightning stating the offer to give the Lightning a chance to match it. Well in the mean time, Phil Esposito claims that he traded Chris to the Chicago Blackhawks before the offer sheet was delt forth to Chris and the NHL, so therefore to Esposito, the offer sheet is no longer valid and Chris is a Blackhawk and he gets new players. Well, the NHL steps in and they have to decide which occured first: 1- offer sheet from the Flyers or 2- the trade of Chris to Chicago. At this point, Chris could end up on either the Lightning, the Flyers, or Chicago. If the NHL decides that the trade first occured, Chris will end up on the Blackhawks. If the NHL decides that the offer sheet happened first, then Chris will go to the Flyers if the Lightning does't match their offer, or he'll stay with the Lightning if the Lightning does match the offer. All during the NHL's decision making process, questions arose about why Esposito traded Chris after he received the fax about the offer. Esposito explains that the offer sheet was smuged and he couldn't read what it said so he didn't think that the Flyers made Chris an offer. After the NHL seeing the fax and decided who did what first, the NHL ruled that the Flyers offer sheet occured before Esposito's trade. Now the Lightning had a deadline to match the offer put forth to Chris. If they didn't match it, Chris was a Flyer. The Lightning could match the yearly salary offered but not the signing bonus. Therefore, Chris ended up signing with the Flyers. It's been said on local Tampa Bay radio shows that the Lightning could have afforded Chris, but Esposito didn't want to pay so much money to one hockey player. So, Esposito made a 'silent' deal with the Flyers that if Esposito didn't match the offer so Chris could sign with the Flyers, the Flyers would trade Mikael Renberg and Karl Dykhuis for four-first round draft picks. After everything was settled and done, this trade did take place and Chris became a Flyer! He officially signed on August 14, 1997 as a free agent with the Philadelphia Flyers.
1997-1998
Enjoys playing golf and working in the off-season...Lists winning the 1993 World Junior Championship as the greatest thrill in his career and "Friends" as his favorite television show...Has played in 174 consecutive games entering the 1997-98 season.
During the following season, 1997-1998, Chris scored 22 goals and received 40 assists for a total of 62 points. He had 159 penalty minutes as well. In 1998, Chris participated in the Bauer Cup Championship Tournament with teammate Eric Lindros. You can view pictures of the event by clicking here. (Simply close the window that the page opens up in to return here.) Following the season, during the summer of 1998, Chris joined Team Canada again at the World Championships. He did awesome scoring 1 goal in 4 games played.
1998-1999
Is in his fifth NHL and second as a Flyer...Chris lists Madison Square Garden and the Los Angeles Fourm among his favorite rinks...Names the Chicago Bulls as his favorite sports team and tennis great Pete Sampras as his most admired athlete...States Days of Our Lives as the television show he's most like to be a star in...Is 1998-99 spokesperson for the American Lung Association...Developed Chris' Kids in 1994 which donates game night suites to local area children's groups...Missing only two games in five NHL seasons, Chris has played in 256 consecutive regular season games...Nicknamed Gratts...Shoots left.
Starting the 1998-1999 NHL season with the Flyers, Chris playes 26 games and within those 26 game, Chris scored 1 goal and received 7 assists and totaled 41 penalty minutes. After those 26 games, he was traded back to his first NHL team, the Lightning, on December 12, 1998. The Lightning traded Mikael Renberg and Daymond Langkow to the Philadelphia Flyers for Chris Gratton and Mike Sillinger. Unfortunately later that December, Chris was suspended for 3 games. On December 23, 1998 the Lightning played the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo and Chris "was suspended three games by the NHL after referee Paul Stewart accused Gratton of spitting on him near the conclusion of the Lightning's 2-0 loss to the Sabres. Gratton, who returned home to Ontario immediately after [the] game for the Christmas break, was unavailable for comment, but he, with the Lightning, released a statement denying that he spat on Stewart." It was evident to the Lightning players and coaches that this occurance did not happen, but there wasn't anything the Lightning could do after Stewart said it happened. "There's nothing we can do about it," Lightning general manager and coach Jacques Demers said. "There's only the referee's word. Chris denies it, but the referee said it happened. Nobody saw it - the linesman, other players, nobody. Nobody except Paul Stewart."" - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, December 25, 1998). "In his first public comment since Wednesday, Gratton denied spitting on referee Paul Stewart near the end of the Lightning's 2-0 loss at Buffalo. Stewart accused Gratton of spitting on him during an argument, and Gratton was suspended for three games for "physically (demeaning) an official." "I argued with him and that was wrong," Gratton said. "You shouldn't argue like that with a referee, and once a referee makes a call, you're not going to change his mind no matter how much you yell. So I was wrong to argue with him, but I absolutely did not spit on him. I would never do something like that." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, December 27, 1998). In result of his suspension, Chris didn't play in the two following home games against the Panthers and the Islanders, and he didn't play in an away game against the Hurricanes. His first game back was on January 4, 1999 in Toronto. Chris ended this season second on the Lightning with 34 points.
1999-2000
Chris is single and returns to Brantford, Ont. for the off-season ... Enjoys playing golf and lists Tiger Woods and Pete Sampras as his favorite non-hockey athletes ... Growing up, was a fan of Wayne Gretzky and the Toronto Maple Leafs ... Also competed in baseball and golf as a youngster ... Lists his most memorable hockey moments as being drafted by the Lightning third overall in the 1993 Entry Draft and winning the Gold Medal at the 1993 World Junior Championships ... Was teammates with Alexandre Daigle with Team Canada in the 1993 World Junior Championships.
During the 1999-2000 season, Chris hit a mile stone. On October 27, 1999, Chris scored his 100th NHL goal against the Buffalo Sabres. He was later named the Lightning's captain on November 12, 1999. the fifth captain in team history by coach Steve Ludzik on Friday. "Any time you get a letter on your sweater, it's a nice feeling," Gratton said. "I'm not the type of guy who's going to hoot and holler, but I think it's important to lead by example. Hopefully, I can grow into the role of being a captain." That is what Ludzik is counting on. "He's young and the team is young, so hopefully, they can grow together," Ludzik said." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, November 14, 1999). The Lightning hosted another Super Skills competition in which Chris recorded a slap shot of 99.6 miles per hour. "Moments after Chris Gratton ripped a slap shot of 99.6 mph, [Fredrik] Modin, using Gratton's stick because his broke during the competition, topped 100 mph. Modin's slap shot of 102 mph is the hardest recorded in the SuperSkills events that have been held around the league this season. But could he have done it without Gratton's help? "He should be disqualified," Gratton joked. "Hey, a couple of years ago in Toronto, I had one for 105 miles per hour," Modin said. "And that was with my own stick. So there." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, December 9, 1999). Later in the season, on February 17, 2000, Chris injured his foot when the Lightning played against the Ottawa Senators. Chris had "a deep bone bruise in his left foot. He was hit by a puck [during the game] at Ottawa. He [had] skated only once, for about 10 minutes, since the injury, and the foot [had] been placed in a walking cast." - (Quoted from the St. Petersburg Times, February 23, 2000). Chris played a total of 58 games with the Bolts and scored 14 goals and received 27 assists, for a total of 41 points. After those 58 games played, Chris was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on March 9, 2000. The Lightning traded Chris Gratton to the Buffalo Sabres for Brian Holzinger, Wayne Primeau and Cory Sarich. Chris finished out the 1999-2000 season playing 14 games with Buffalo, scoring 1 goal, receiving 7 assists, and totaling 8 points.
2000-2001
Tampa Bay's first-round selection (third overall) in 1993 Entry Draft...Also played with Philadelphia.
For the 2000-2001 season, Chris got 19 goals and 21 assists, totaling 40 points and serving 102 penalty minutes. The Sabres made the playoffs this year and unfortunately, it was game 7 in overtime versus the Pittsburg Penguins when their playoffs would come to an end. Teary-eyed, Chris shook the hand of Penguin's Jaromir Jagr at the end of the series. "Both of these goal scorers enjoyed point getting totals to lead [their] teams. Pittsburg [would] [go] on to the Eastern Conference Finals against New Jersey after they beat the Sabres...at [the] HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York, May 10, 2001." - (Quoted from UPI, May 11, 2001).
2001-2002
Tampa Bay's first-round selection (third overall) in 1993 Entry Draft...Also played with Philadelphia.
For the 2001-2002 NHL season with Buffalo, Chris totaled 39 points with his 15 goals and 24 assists and had a career low of 75 penalty minutes.
2002-2003
In Chris’s 10th NHL season, he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes and ended the season with being ranked 2nd in the NHL for faceoff win percentage (58.6%), ranked 2nd on the Coyotes in shots on goal, and he finished 3rd on the team in power play assists (11). With 10 NHL seasons under his belt, Chris has played in a total of 770 out of a possible 784 NHL games.
2003-2004
Chris and his wife Stephanie return to Brantford, Ontario (home of Wayne Gretzky) for the off-season…Enjoys playing golf…Is a big fan of Tiger Woods and Pete Sampras…While growing up, was a big fan of Wayne Gretzky and the Toronto Maple Leafs…Played golf and baseball as a kid…Lists his greatest hockey moments as being a member of Team Canada’s 1993 gold medal winning team and getting drafted by Tampa Bay in 1993.
2004-2005
NHL season canceled.
2005-2006
Chris’s nickname is Gratts…His favorite player growing up was Wayne Gretzky… In the off-season he lives in Brantford, Ontario…His cousin Josh Gratton plays for the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL…He is the part owner of some harness racing horses…His favorite movies are “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Rounders”…He likes to listen to The Tragically Hip…His favorite vacation spot is Las Vegas…Chris is an avid golfer…His favorite golf course is Isleworth Country Club in Orlando and his favorite golfer is Tiger Woods…Chris and his wife Stephanie have one son named Zachary (four months).
2006-2007
2006-07:
Completed his 13th NHL season, second with Florida.
Played in his 1000th career NHL game on March 22 vs. Ottawa.
Scored his 200th career NHL goal on Feb. 10 vs. Phoenix.
Scored the GWG on March 8 at Philadelphia.
Scored two goals on Feb. 24 vs. Boston.