Alex Gritz will begin his professional hockey journey with the Wichita Thunder this season.
At age 14, Alex Gritz moved to Ontario from his Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania home to take his hockey career to greater heights.
It’s been quite a journey, but nine years later, Gritz finds himself in the ECHL, signing this week with the Wichita Thunder for the 2024-25 season.
Gritz, now 23, begins his pro career after spending the last three years at the University of Waterloo (USports). The 6-foot, 181-pound forward is coming off his best season for the Warriors, scoring 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 28 games.
Overall, Gritz finished with 39 points (13-26-39) in 71 games during his collegiate career.
Prior to his collegiate career, Gritz played in four different junior hockey leagues. He started in the OHL with the Soo Greyhounds in 2016-17.
The following season, he registered 30 points (13-17-30) in 67 games for the Erie Otters, after the club acquired him in a trade with the Greyhounds, which brought him back to his home area.
The Otters initially wanted Gritz in the 2016 draft but the Greyhounds, seven picks ahead, got him with the 50th overall pick.
Gritz also saw time with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and NAHL’s Johnstown Tomahawks.
In 2020-21, Gritz was named captain for Johnstown. He finished with 24 points (10-14-24) in 46 contests with the Tomahawks.
When he was 15, Gritz met Connor McDavid. Like the former Otter and current Edmonton Oilers star, Gritz brings a blue collar mentality and a lot of energy to his game, traits the Thunder will be happy to have as they prepare for the 2024-25 season.