Benoît Gratton Explained

Played For:Washington Capitals
Calgary Flames
Montreal Canadiens
HC Lugano
Hamburg Freezers
Vienna Capitals
Position:Centre
Shoots:Left
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:194
Birth Date:28 December 1976
Birth Place:Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Draft:105th overall
Draft Year:1995
Draft Team:Washington Capitals
Career Start:1996
Career End:2017

Benoît Jacques Joseph Gratton (born December 28, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He is currently the head coach for Jonquière Marquis of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (LNAH).

Playing career

Gratton was born in Montreal, Quebec. As a youth, he played in the 1989 and 1990 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Montreal.[1]

Selected 105th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Gratton spent several seasons in the Capitals' system before he was traded to the Calgary Flames in 1999. After spending several seasons in the Flames' organization, he was claimed on waivers in 2001 by the Montreal Canadiens.

From 2004 to 2014, Gratton played hockey in Europe, most notably playing six seasons with the Vienna Capitals.[2]

After sitting out the 2014–15 season, Gratton made a semi-professional return in the Quebec-based Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (LNAH) with Jonquière Marquis, playing two seasons until announcing his retirement following the 2016–17 season.

Coaching career

Prior to the 2017–18 season, Gratton continued his association with Jonquière Marquis as he was appointed head coach of the club on August 18, 2017.[3]

Career statistics

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
1992–93Laval RégentsQMAAA401938577413191027
1993–94Laval TitanQMJHL5191423702021319
1994–95Laval Titan Collège FrançaisQMJHL71305888199208212942
1995–96Laval Titan Collège FrançaisQMJHL38213960130
1995–96Granby PrédateursQMJHL27124658972113263968
1996–97Portland PiratesAHL7664046140521314
1996–97Washington CapitalsNHL60116
1997–98Portland PiratesAHL58193150137842624
1998–99Washington CapitalsNHL1643716
1998–99Portland PiratesAHL64184260135
1999–2000Saint John FlamesAHL6517496613730114
1999–2000Calgary FlamesNHL1002210
2000–01Saint John FlamesAHL53103646153
2000–01Calgary FlamesNHL1413414
2001–02Montreal CanadiensNHL81018
2001–02Quebec CitadellesAHL3510192970323510
2002–03Hamilton BulldogsAHL4321396078222151773
2003–04Hamilton BulldogsAHL501833511191012367
2003–04Montreal CanadiensNHL40114
2004–05HC LuganoNLA316121881
2005–06Hamburg FreezersDEL47133548214632518
2006–07Hamburg FreezersDEL3982432139442614
2007–08Hamburg FreezersDEL5410223297832514
2008–09Vienna CapitalsAUT402038581629471124
2009–10Vienna CapitalsAUT49184159140124141868
2010–11Vienna CapitalsAUT45274673247117121928
2011–12Vienna CapitalsAUT42203353127717822
2012–13Vienna CapitalsAUT4214294365201114
2013–14Vienna CapitalsAUT49124153128524628
2015–16 LNAH season2015–16Jonquière MarquisLNAH341836541199291135
2016–17 LNAH season2016–17Jonquière MarquisLNAH291030401041118930
AHL totals44411928940896951112435192
NHL totals586101658
AUT totals26711122833986946184563184

Awards and honours

AwardYear
CHL
Memorial Cup (Granby Prédateurs)1996
AHL
All-Star Game[4] EBEL
Ron Kennedy Trophy (MVP)2011

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA . 2018. Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament . January 29, 2019. March 6, 2019 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf.
  2. Web site: Phil Horsky remains; first base squad fixed . . April 14, 2014. April 14, 2014. German.
  3. Web site: Benoit Gratton appointed coach of Marquis Jonquiere . ici.radio-canada.ca . August 18, 2017. August 18, 2017. French.
  4. Web site: Canadian All-Stars 11, Planet USA All-Stars 10 . . January 15, 2001. February 1, 2019.