Undrafted 12th year left wing Josh Gratton(13) spent the last four seasons playing mostly in the KHL with Barys Astana and Vityaz Podolsk. He only skated in 11 games last season.
Seeing only limited action in his last two seasons was possibly the impetus for him to return to North American pro hockey to see if at 32-years old he could earn himself a contract.
Invited to Manchester Monarchs‘ training camp, he proved himself worthy and was given a pto to start the 2014/2015 season.
13 games into the season he has one assist, a +1 rating, 36 penalty minutes and quickly accrued 6 fighting majors.
The 6’2″ 215 lbs. tough guy has skated in 247 AHL games scoring a modest 35 goals and 39 assists with an eye-popping 936 pims and dropped the gloves 102 times.
He’s also appeared in 86 NHL games for Arizona Coyotes and two stints with Philadelphia Flyers.
He won a Calder Cup Championship with Philadelphia Phantoms in the lockout year 2004/2005.
It remains to be seen whether or not he’s given an spc for this season but regardless, he’s making his presence felt.