The Columbus Blue Jackets have claimed center Chris Gratton off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning, club General Manager Scott Howson announced Saturday.
Gratton, 33, has collected three goals and 12 assists in 24 AHL games with the Norfolk Admirals this season. He also had two assists and 10 penalty minutes in 18 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning this season.
Tampa Bay’s first pick, third overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Gratton has registered 214-353-567 and 1,636 penalty minutes in 1,086 career games with the Lightning, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Phoenix, Colorado and Florida. He played the 1,000th game of his NHL career against the Ottawa Senators on March 22, 2007. He has added 8-7-15 and 82 penalty minutes in 40 career Stanley Cup playoff games.
Prior to his professional career, the Brantford, Ontario native notched 82-93-175 and 162 penalty minutes in 120 career games with Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League. He recorded 27-39-66 and 37 penalty minutes in 62 games in 1991-92 en route to being named OHL Rookie of the Year. He has recorded 1-5-6 in 15 career games at the World Championships and helped Canada win the gold medal in 1997. He also had 2-2-4 in seven games during the 1993 World Junior Championships, helping Canada claim the gold medal.
