POSITION: Center
SHOOTS: Left
HEIGHT: 6-foot-4
WEIGHT: 220 pounds
SALARY: $1,500,000.00 US
BIRTHDATE: July 5th, 1975
BIRTHPLACE: Brantford, ONT
ACQUIRED: March 2000 Trade
DRAFT INFO:
1st Round
3rd Overall
1993 Draft
PREVIOUS TEAMS:
Tampa Bay Lightning
Philadelphia Flyers
Much was expected out of Chris when the Tampa Bay Lighning, new in the NHL, selected him 3rd overall in the 1993 Entry Draft. That same year he played a full season for the Lightning. He did nothing but improve in Tampa Bay, as his numbers steadily increased with the passing years. During the offseason in 1997, Gratton signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers had higher expectations than he fulfilled, so he was sent back to Tampa Bay. He was captain there up until the day he was traded to Buffalo for Cory Sarich, Wayne Primeau, and Brian Holzinger. Gratton now plays the role of the tough centerman on the checkingor scoring line.
Before Chris was in the NHL, he played for Kingston of the OHL and was awarded the OHL's Top Prospect Draft Award. He jumped fro Kingston to the NHL, which some people blame the Lighning for not letting his skills develop.
