Gilles Gratton
Encyclopedia
Gilles Gratton is a retired ice hockey
goaltender
.
Gratton (nicknamed "Gratoony The Loony" for his bizarre actions both on and off the ice) 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 NHL player as well. In the National Hockey League
, 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.
Throughout his career, Gratton has been known for his eccentric personality and outspoken character, often drawing the attention away from his talent. One night in San Diego he addressed the crowd prior to a playoff game and began insulting their city and team in a odd show of gamesmanship. Legend has it that Gratton once told his teammates he was reincarnated and had once been a soldier in the Spanish Inquisition. In a game with the Toronto Toros of the WHA, he refused to play because the moon was in the wrong part of the sky, thereby not lined up with Jupiter. He later mentioned he did so to protest against the firing of coach Billy Harris.
On THN.com he was voted to have the 6th scariest goalie mask.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
.
Gratton (nicknamed "Gratoony The Loony" for his bizarre actions both on and off the ice) began his WHA
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
career in 1972 with the Ottawa Nationals
Ottawa Nationals
The Ottawa Nationals were a professional men's ice hockey team based out of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada that played in the World Hockey Association during the 1972–73 WHA season....
. Gilles would also spend time with the Toronto Toros
Toronto Toros
The Toronto Toros were an ice hockey team based in Toronto that played in the World Hockey Association from 1973 to 1976.The franchise was awarded to Doug Michel in 1971 to play in the WHA's inaugural 1972–73 season...
. His brother, Norm Gratton
Norm Gratton
Normand Lionel Gratton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger. He played six seasons in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Atlanta Flames, Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota North Stars. He played 201 games in the NHL, scoring 39 goals and 44 assists...
was a professional NHL player as well. In the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
, Gratton would play with the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
. He is perhaps best known for his goalie mask, which was an adaptation of his astrological sign
Astrological sign
Astrological signs represent twelve equal segments or divisions of the zodiac. According to astrology, celestial phenomena reflect or govern human activity on the principle of "as above, so below", so that the twelve signs are held to represent twelve basic personality types or characteristic modes...
, Leo
Leo (astrology)
Leo is the fifth astrological sign of the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Leo. In astrology, Leo is considered to be a "masculine", positive sign. It is also considered a fire sign and is one of four fixed signs ruled by the Sun.Individuals born when the Sun is in this sign are...
. 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.
Throughout his career, Gratton has been known for his eccentric personality and outspoken character, often drawing the attention away from his talent. One night in San Diego he addressed the crowd prior to a playoff game and began insulting their city and team in a odd show of gamesmanship. Legend has it that Gratton once told his teammates he was reincarnated and had once been a soldier in the Spanish Inquisition. In a game with the Toronto Toros of the WHA, he refused to play because the moon was in the wrong part of the sky, thereby not lined up with Jupiter. He later mentioned he did so to protest against the firing of coach Billy Harris.
On THN.com he was voted to have the 6th scariest goalie mask.