Gratoony the Loony
The Wild, Unpredictable Life of Gilles Gratton
by Gilles Gratton; Greg Oliver
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Pub Date Oct 03 2017 | Archive Date Aug 01 2017
Description
One of hockey’s most colourful characters, from hockey’s most colourful era, tells all
Gilles Gratton was not a typical pro hockey player. He refused to don his equipment and man his net if the planets were not properly aligned. He skated naked at practice. He created one of hockey’s most famous goalie masks based on his astrological sign. He fought with coaches and management, speaking his mind to his detriment. Sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll ruled his life, not stopping pucks. Truthfully? He never really wanted to be an NHL goaltender; he wanted to be Tibetan monk. And so, he quit hockey to seek enlightenment.
Now, in his autobiography, Gratton teams up with author Greg Oliver to tell his wild and at times, yes, loony story: from his early days in Montreal, where his brother Norm Gratton became an NHL player, too; through his stints with the OHA’s Oshawa Generals, the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros of the rogue WHA, and the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers in the NHL.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
“An almost impossible to believe life story, with an anti-hero cast that not even Slap Shot would dare to imagine. In the history of hockey, you’ll never meet Gilles Gratton’s equal. You’ll read Gratoony the Loony in one gulp, mouth wide open. All that we’ve ever heard about him, all the legends, and all the mind-blowing and hilarious tales, are true.” — Marc Durand, author and reporter for CBC/Radio-Canada
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“Hockey has had its fair share of memorable characters, but none more so than Gilles Gratton. Now for the first time, the eccentric and outspoken goaltender shares his own ‘unique’ story, and what an interesting tale it is. From his childhood in Quebec, to his junior days in Oshawa, and his short, abbreviated stints in the WHA and the NHL, and beyond, it’s all here, no holds barred. Written alongside noted hockey author Greg Oliver, Gratoony the Loony: The Wild, Unpredictable, Life of Gilles Gratton takes the reader on a personal journey quite unlike any other.” — Todd Denault, author of Jacques Plante: The Man Who Changed the Face of Hockey, and The Greatest Game: The Montreal Canadiens, the Red Army, and the Night That Saved Hockey
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781770413375 |
| PRICE | CA$22.99 (CAD) |
| PAGES | 260 |
Featured Reviews
Cheryl R, Reviewer
Oh wow. This was one of the strangest memoirs I've ever read, and at times Gilles certainly lives up to that nickname. I vaguely recall Gilles Gratton as an NHL goalie. Maybe it was his mask that I remember? Anyway, I thought I'd give this a read since (reading the book blurb) it promised to be an eye-opener.
And it was! From his early days where he sort of 'fell in' to playing hockey--with never any real passion for it,-- to his WHA and brief NHL career, I was just amazed how he managed to stay in the game and make a living as long as he did. This was one crazy, quirky guy. Gilles was part of a bygone era. With his attitude (total lack of physical training) and lack of taking the game seriously, I'm surprised he made it as far as he did. I kept thinking 'just imagine what he could have accomplished if he put his mind to it'. He obviously had the raw talent, and it sort of irritated me that he didn't use it like today's athletes would. But that was his decision. He just didn't love the game.
While I might have been a bit peeved at him for not taking the game seriously, I still enjoyed reading about his life and the long road that he travelled. He pulls no punches, and is very honest, even when it makes himself look bad. This guy has lived a very colorful, eventful life. I can't say that I agree with everything he did or believes in, but he was true to himself, and I can respect that.
A solid 4 stars
Lance S, Reviewer
Hockey goaltenders are often considered to be a little different than other players because of their superstitions, rituals or other idiosyncrasies they may perform. One of the more colorful characters to have played this position is Gilles Gratton, who played primarily in the 1970’s for the World Hockey Association’s (WHA) Toronto Toros and the National Hockey League’s (NHL) New York Rangers. His colorful career and life is captured in this memoir co-written with Greg Oliver.
More than any accomplishments he did on the ice, Gratton is best known for two eccentric items. One is his lion mask, one of the best known masks ever worn by a goalie. He shares the story of the idea for the mask in the very beginning, giving the book a very interesting start. The inspiration was easy – Gratton’s zodiac sign is Leo, so he felt a lion mask would be appropriate.
The second item for which Gratton is known is taking the ice wearing only his mask and skates. This occurred when the fad of streaking was in vogue, so he decided to do so on a bet. This is also a story he shares in which the legend to which it grew to did not match the actual events. He doesn’t spend too much time on this incident, but he has plenty of other material that fits the title here. Gratton shares many stories of wild times in both leagues both on and off the ice.
The writing is very good for a sports memoir, something that is typical for Oliver. His contribution to the book can be found throughout the memoir and is the perfect fit for Gratton’s carefree discussion of his hockey career, his escape to practice transcendental meditation and his relationship with his parents, wives and children. This book was as fun to read as it was to watch Gratton play during his career. Fans of the sport during the 1970’s will want to add this one to their libraries.
I wish to thank ECW Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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