Josh Gratton To Make NHL Debut Tonight
December 15, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
SAN DIEGO - Josh Gratton, who spent half of the 2003-04 season with the San Diego Gulls, will make his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night. Philadelphia will be hosting the Vancouver Canucks at 4 p.m. (PST).
Gratton, who turned 23 in September, recorded 10 points (4g, 6a) and 239 penalty minutes in 30 games for the Gulls in 2003-04, his rookie year. He was called-up mid-season to the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, where he registered four points (2g, 2a) and 69 penalty minutes in 21 games. Before his assignment to Cincinnati, Gratton led the ECHL in penalty minutes.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 214-pounder from Brantford, Ontario signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Flyers two summers ago and played with their AHL affiliate the Philadelphia Phantoms last season. In 57 games with the Phantoms Gratton recorded 14 points (9g, 5a) and 246 penalty minutes. He also notched six points (3g, 3a) and 78 penalty minutes in 21 playoff games, as the Phantoms won the Calder Cup Championship.
So far this season Gratton has played 29 games for the Phantoms, notching seven points (3g, 4a) and 146 penalty minutes.
Before turning pro, Gratton spent three seasons playing juniors in the Ontario Hockey League. In 2002-03 he notched 56 points (26g, 30a) and 192 penalty minutes while splitting time with the Kingston Frontenacs and Windsor Spitfires.
He is the first player in Gulls (ECHL) history to be promoted to the NHL. The West Coast Hockey League Gulls had two previous players make it to the NHL: Micki Dupont (Calgary Flames) and Garret Stroshein (Washington Capitals).
Gratton is the cousin of former Flyer and current Florida Panther player Chris Gratton.
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