While they might be in different positions on the ice, born four years apart, and of different but similar sizes, Tyler Gratton and Dylan Gratton are still brothers.
This season represents a unique opportunity for two brothers to share the ice as teammates at Penn State.
Tyler believes the experience of playing together will benefit both of them and knows he can help his younger brother find success from his own experience navigating Penn State and its men's ice hockey program over the past three seasons.
One can trace the duo's hockey-playing roots back to their eldest brother Chris Gratton and Tyler's learn-to-skate days when they were just three and two years old, respectively.
Dylan followed in his brothers' footsteps shortly after.
"I got into [hockey] from just watching them play and wanting to be like them when I was little," Dylan said. "I was always asked to go out on the ice and then I started to do 'learn-to-skate'."
Waiting and watching his brothers play at levels ahead of him as he grew up, Dylan saw an opportunity when Tyler decided to become a Nittany Lion.
Tyler was a big reason that the youngest Gratton brother started playing hockey. Now, as a current Penn State alternate captain, he serves as an inspiration to Dylan's hockey decisions today.
When Penn State takes the ice at Pegula Ice Arena this October, the brothers will share a moment they have not yet had.
"It's the first time ever that we will get to play on the same team together because of the age gap being four years between us," Tyler shared. "Growing up, we never had the chance. So, I think this will be an awesome experience for us to share together."
Tyler and Dylan have spent several summers training together, but sharing the ice sporting Penn State sweaters on a team together for the first time is a meaningful opportunity they are each looking forward to this season.
The Gratton's are the third pair of brothers to play hockey for Penn State but the first pair to actually get the chance to line up next to each other in the same season.
Erik and Oskar Autio have each played in a Penn State sweater along with Chase and Christian Berger.
Head coach Guy Gadowsky recognizes this is a rare, but special opportunity.
"I'm envious," Gadowsky said. "I think it's wonderful. What a great experience and opportunity for both of them. That's something that doesn't happen a lot."
Despite Tyler's existing hockey career with the Nittany Lions, Dylan's first exposure to Penn State hockey came long before his older brother stepped onto the ice in Hockey Valley.
"When I was 10 or 11, I was playing on a tournament team that traveled to Quebec and Coach Gadowsky's kids happened to be on the team with me," Dylan said. "That kind of built a slight relationship between myself and Penn State hockey because I was able to meet them and Coach 'Gads'."
This was an opportunity for Penn State's head coach to learn about the quality of people who raised the Gratton brothers.
Gadowsky remembered his interactions with the Gratton family several years ago.
"It was nice to get to know the family a little bit," Gadowsky said. "They are hard-nosed work ethic people. I remember Mrs. Gratton, there was a fundraiser that operated the concession stand. She was the first one there [to help]."
As natives of Pottstown, Pa., the Gratton's have crossed paths with several current teammates before coming to Hockey Valley.
Junior forward Tyler Paquette grew up only 15 miles away in Collegeville, Pa., and played on Dylan's first hockey team as a child.
On Dylan's path to Penn State, he encountered other Nittany Lions, not to mention senior captain Paul DeNaples.
"I played with [DeNaples] a few years ago, and then to play with him now it's kind of crazy to see how many our careers have crossed paths," Dylan said.
This fall presents an opportunity for a convening of the Gratton family in Hockey Valley.
In their first practice together, the two connected for a goal.
With a crowd of family and friends at Pegula Ice Arena, they hope to share a goal in a game, not just in practices.
"I think it would be cool for our parents to see that and have everything come together," Tyler shared. "For all the effort that they have put in over the years with driving us to the rink and then also the work that the two of us have put in through many seasons and summers."
Tyler and Dylan agree that the ultimate goal is to have one of them hand a trophy to the other at the end of the season.
While they both have individual goals, this season represents a long hockey journey for a family.
From hand-me-down equipment to playing in front of thousands, this is the first time these two will share the ice on a team in their home state, and they could not be more excited.
