Overview

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.

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9781770413375

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Reviews

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 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 NHL history is filled with legendary players doing legendary things. But sometimes, the very best stories are found by digging past the headlines and record books and into the game's oddball cast of supporting characters. And the hockey world hasn't produced many characters more fascinating than Gilles Gratton. From his memorable masks to his transcendental meditation to his naked practices, Gratoony the Loony has a fascinating story to tell, and hockey fans of all ages won't want to miss it. --Sean McIndoe, author of Down Goes Brown Praise for previous works: The authors provide an entertaining account of goaltender personalities, the mental toughness required, and valuable insight into the careers of the best before, during and after their stints in the National Hockey League. Along the way, readers will learn about the influence television had on the introduction of the two-goalie system and many other interesting facts. -- Publishers Weekly on The Goaltenders' Union [The book] offers a look at life away from the penalty box for NHL heavyweights past and present, giving a short glimpse into the lives of the only professional punchers outside the boxing ring. The book -- Don't Call Me Goon -- isn't simply a rehash of old statistics and newspaper articles. Authors Greg Oliver and Richard Kamchen have done original interviews with players, adding live quotes and context to their work. -- London Free Press on Don't Call Me Goon While Oliver and Kamchen are newcomers to the world of hockey books, they have managed to put together something that is quite entertaining and takes the reader on an amazing journey from the tough-as-nails early days of the professional game to today's tough customers. -- Sportsology on Don't Call Me Goon The vintage look of the contracts and historical documents nicely shines through and captures the time period from when they were created. . . there is something of interest for every hockey fan. . . the content allows the reader to walk through the rich history of the game. -- Hockey Then & Now on Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines Praise for previous works: The authors provide an entertaining account of goaltender personalities, the mental toughness required, and valuable insight into the careers of the best before, during and after their stints in the National Hockey League. Along the way, readers will learn about the influence television had on the introduction of the two-goalie system and many other interesting facts. Publishers Weekly on The Goaltenders Union [The book] offers a look at life away from the penalty box for NHL heavyweights past and present, giving a short glimpse into the lives of the only professional punchers outside the boxing ring. The book Don't Call Me Goon isn't simply a rehash of old statistics and newspaper articles. Authors Greg Oliver and Richard Kamchen have done original interviews with players, adding live quotes and context to their work. London Free Press on Don't Call Me Goon While Oliver and Kamchen are newcomers to the world of hockey books, they have managed to put together something that is quite entertaining and takes the reader on an amazing journey from the tough-as-nails early days of the professional game to today's tough customers. Sportsology on Don't Call Me Goon The vintage look of the contracts and historical documents nicely shines through and captures the time period from when they were created. . . there is something of interest for every hockey fan. . . the content allows the reader to walk through the rich history of the game. Hockey Then & Now on Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines

Praise for previous works: The authors provide an entertaining account of goaltender personalities, the mental toughness required, and valuable insight into the careers of the best before, during and after their stints in the National Hockey League. Along the way, readers will learn about the influence television had on the introduction of the two-goalie system and many other interesting facts. -- Publishers Weekly on The Goaltenders' Union [The book] offers a look at life away from the penalty box for NHL heavyweights past and present, giving a short glimpse into the lives of the only professional punchers outside the boxing ring. The book -- Don't Call Me Goon -- isn't simply a rehash of old statistics and newspaper articles. Authors Greg Oliver and Richard Kamchen have done original interviews with players, adding live quotes and context to their work. -- London Free Press on Don't Call Me Goon While Oliver and Kamchen are newcomers to the world of hockey books, they have managed to put together something that is quite entertaining and takes the reader on an amazing journey from the tough-as-nails early days of the professional game to today's tough customers. -- Sportsology on Don't Call Me Goon The vintage look of the contracts and historical documents nicely shines through and captures the time period from when they were created. . . there is something of interest for every hockey fan. . . the content allows the reader to walk through the rich history of the game. -- Hockey Then & Now on Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines

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 Praise for previous works: The authors provide an entertaining account of goaltender personalities, the mental toughness required, and valuable insight into the careers of the best before, during and after their stints in the National Hockey League. Along the way, readers will learn about the influence television had on the introduction of the two-goalie system and many other interesting facts. -- Publishers Weekly on The Goaltenders' Union [The book] offers a look at life away from the penalty box for NHL heavyweights past and present, giving a short glimpse into the lives of the only professional punchers outside the boxing ring. The book -- Don't Call Me Goon -- isn't simply a rehash of old statistics and newspaper articles. Authors Greg Oliver and Richard Kamchen have done original interviews with players, adding live quotes and context to their work. -- London Free Press on Don't Call Me Goon While Oliver and Kamchen are newcomers to the world of hockey books, they have managed to put together something that is quite entertaining and takes the reader on an amazing journey from the tough-as-nails early days of the professional game to today's tough customers. -- Sportsology on Don't Call Me Goon The vintage look of the contracts and historical documents nicely shines through and captures the time period from when they were created. . . there is something of interest for every hockey fan. . . the content allows the reader to walk through the rich history of the game. -- Hockey Then & Now on Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines Praise for previous works: The authors provide an entertaining account of goaltender personalities, the mental toughness required, and valuable insight into the careers of the best before, during and after their stints in the National Hockey League. Along the way, readers will learn about the influence television had on the introduction of the two-goalie system and many other interesting facts. Publishers Weekly on The Goaltenders Union [The book] offers a look at life away from the penalty box for NHL heavyweights past and present, giving a short glimpse into the lives of the only professional punchers outside the boxing ring. The book Don't Call Me Goon isn't simply a rehash of old statistics and newspaper articles. Authors Greg Oliver and Richard Kamchen have done original interviews with players, adding live quotes and context to their work. London Free Press on Don't Call Me Goon While Oliver and Kamchen are newcomers to the world of hockey books, they have managed to put together something that is quite entertaining and takes the reader on an amazing journey from the tough-as-nails early days of the professional game to today's tough customers. Sportsology on Don't Call Me Goon The vintage look of the contracts and historical documents nicely shines through and captures the time period from when they were created. . . there is something of interest for every hockey fan. . . the content allows the reader to walk through the rich history of the game. Hockey Then & Now on Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines

Praise for previous works: The authors provide an entertaining account of goaltender personalities, the mental toughness required, and valuable insight into the careers of the best before, during and after their stints in the National Hockey League. Along the way, readers will learn about the influence television had on the introduction of the two-goalie system and many other interesting facts. -- <i>Publishers Weekly</i> on <i>The Goaltenders' Union</i> [The book] offers a look at life away from the penalty box for NHL heavyweights past and present, giving a short glimpse into the lives of the only professional punchers outside the boxing ring. The book -- <i>Don't Call Me Goon</i> -- isn't simply a rehash of old statistics and newspaper articles. Authors Greg Oliver and Richard Kamchen have done original interviews with players, adding live quotes and context to their work. -- <i>London Free Press</i> on <i>Don't Call Me Goon</i> While Oliver and Kamchen are newcomers to the world of hockey books, they have managed to put together something that is quite entertaining and takes the reader on an amazing journey from the tough-as-nails early days of the professional game to today's tough customers. -- <i>Sportsology</i> on <i>Don't Call Me Goon</i> The vintage look of the contracts and historical documents nicely shines through and captures the time period from when they were created. . . there is something of interest for every hockey fan. . . the content allows the reader to walk through the rich history of the game. -- Hockey Then & Now on <i>Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines</i>

Author Information

Gilles Gratton is a former goaltender who currently works with Classic Auctions, a historical hockey memorabilia auction house. He lives in Montreal with his wife, Anne, and teenaged children, William and Charlotte. Greg Oliver is the author of six hockey books, including the Globe and Mail bestselling Don’t Call Me Goon, as well as Father Bauer and the Great Experiment. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Meredith, and son, Quinn.

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