Gilles Gratton

Who is Gilles Gratton?

Gilles Gratton is a retired ice hockey goaltender.

Gratton began his WHA career in 1972 with the Ottawa Nationals. Gilles would also spend time with the Toronto Toros. His brother, Norm Gratton, was a professional National Hockey League player as well. In the NHL, Gratton would play with the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. He is perhaps best known for his goalie mask, which was an adaptation of his astrological sign, Leo. However, Gratton states that he got the idea from a picture in a National Geographic magazine that he was reading on a plane flight. According to Gratton, "It's not a lion mask at all. It's a tiger." Some people believe that Gratton would growl at opposing players on the ice and once hissed like a cat during a fight. Gratton played with the Nationals for one season in 1972 before moving to the Toros in 1973, until finally breaking into the NHL in 1975, ending his career with the Rangers in 1977.

Throughout his career, Gratton has been known for his eccentric personality and outspoken character, often drawing the attention away from his talent.