Gratton signs with K-Wings

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kalamazoo Wings, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, announced that the team has traded forward Hunter Strand’s qualifying-offer rights to the Trenton Ironhawks in exchange for forward Tyler Gratton’s qualifying-offer rights. Kalamazoo has also signed Gratton to a contract for the 2026-27 season.

Gratton is entering his third professional season. He scored 37 points (16g-21a) in 53 games last season, while serving as the Utah Grizzlies' captain.

The 27-year-old joined Utah after spending his rookie campaign with Reading in 2024-25. While with the Royals, Gratton led the team in goals (20), finishing the season with 32 points in 71 games.

Prior to turning pro at the end of the 2023-24 season with Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League, Gratton played parts of four seasons at Penn State University and one season with Arizona State University. In total, he amassed 52 points (32g-20a) in 159 NCAA games played, and he was named alternate captain (2022-23: Penn State) and team captain (2023-24: Arizona State).