Blue Jackets claim Gratton off waivers

The Columbus Blue Jackets have claimed center Chris Gratton off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning, club General Manager Scott Howson announced February 21. Gratton, 33, has collected two assists and 10 penalty minutes in 18 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning this season. He has added 3-12-15 and eight penalty minutes in 24 games with Norfolk of the American Hockey League.

Tampa Bay's first pick, third overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, he 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.

The Blue Jackets return to action tonight when they host the Anaheim Ducks. Face-off at Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio HD will begin with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will also broadcast live on the Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Blue Jackets Radio Network and flagship stations WBNS-AM, Sports Radio 1460 The Fan and WWCD-FM, CD101 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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