Cochrane Crunch sniper Cody Gratton takes a face-off during an NOJHL semifinal contest against the Powassan Voodoos in April. PHOTO BY CHRIS DAWSON.
The Nipissing Lakers improved their team speed and brought more major junior experience to the back end with the addition of high scoring NOJHL forward Cody Gratton and former WHL defenceman Harrison Harper.
Gratton comes to the Lakers after spending time with the Cochrane Crunch, where he was a huge contributor, scoring 52 goals in just 44 games in the NOJHL.
Harper, on the other hand, is a tough, stay-at-home defender who played for the Miramichi Timberwolves in the MJAHL the past two seasons.
Harper also brings with him more than 50 games of WHL experience.
Coach McParland said he sees both players competing for ice time and believes they can both be contributors when they’re on the ice.
“Cody will bring us incredible speed, and we are hoping with a certain adaptation phase he will be able to score at our level as well,” McParland said.
“With Harrison we have a big, puck moving defenseman that moves very well and enjoys playing very aggressive.”
Gratton, a Sudbury, ON native was a first team all-star last year with the Crunch and led the league in goals.
Prior to last season, he spent time with the Cambridge Winter Hawks in the GOJHL as well as the Wellington Dukes of the OJHL.
He has been over or at a point-per-game in all but one season, where he had 34 points in 43 games split between Wellington and Cambridge.
Along with his 52 goals, he added 35 assists this past campaign for 82 total points with the Crunch.
“I’m thrilled to have signed with the Lakers and look forward to being part of the program, hopefully the team can do some big things,” he said.
“I wanted to be close to home but not at home and Nipissing is only an hour and a half from my house.”
Gratton has a lot of offensive skill and he says that’s what he’ll bring to the lineup in the fall.
“I consider myself an offensive forward, with great speed and can see the ice well,” he said of his style of play.
“My expectations for the team are to grow and be able to compete for the number one spot and for myself, it's being in the lineup consistently.”
In Harper, the Lakers add a defenceman who takes care of his own end first. He’s thrilled to be able to continue his hockey career, as well as acquire an education.
“I am very excited and so is the rest of my family. Making the jump to CIS hockey is something I have wanted to do for some time now and I'm glad I have the opportunity,” Harper said.
“I chose Nipissing because I want to continue my hockey career while getting a degree and after I went for a tour of the school and a look around the city, I thought it was a no brainer that Nipissing University was something I wanted to be a part of.”
The Calgary, Alberta native is a draft pick of the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2009 and began his junior career in the WHL in 2011-12.
From there, he played in the AJHL and the MJAHL where he spent the past two seasons.
Last year, he put up 20 points and piled up 109 penalty minutes with the Timberwolves and as the 20-year-old said, that’s his type of game.
“I'm more of a stay-at-home defenceman that likes to take care of things in my own end first and foremost. I like to use my size and be hard to play against. I like to think there is no easy ice when I'm out there,” he stated.
“I like to move the puck and get shots through, a simple game is where I find the most success.”
Knowing the jump to a different league can be difficult, Harper is sure there will be an adjustment period, but is confident in his own abilities, as well as the team’s style that they can find success.
“My expectations for the team are that we can move into the top four in our division and do some damage in playoff,” he explained. “For myself as a freshman, I want to find myself in the lineup every night and be a defenceman that can be relied on right out of the gate.”
McParland has assembled a solid group of recruits who he feels will give the team options when they hit the ice.
“We have made it clear to all of our returning players as well as the new recruits that ice time is earned not given. Players are expected to return in shape and ready to go when they arrive,” the veteran coach noted. “We have learned through our first six years that every point is a big point.”
