Eric Gryba
A hard-nosed, stay-at-home defenceman who carved out a seven-year NHL career with his physicality and shot-blocking willingness.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: April 14·Millennials
Biography
Eric Gryba built an NHL career not on flashy points, but on the unglamorous, essential work of a defensive defenceman. Drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2006 out of Boston University, he spent years in the minors refining a simple, effective game: clear the front of the net, deliver clean hits, and sacrifice his body to block shots. When he finally got his sustained chance with Ottawa, he became a reliable penalty-kill fixture and a player teammates appreciated for his straightforward approach. Stops with the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Jets followed, each team valuing his size and willingness to do the dirty work. Gryba's path was that of a classic blue-collar player, maximizing his tools to last over 200 games in the world's best league.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Eric was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Eric Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Eric's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played 277 regular-season games in the NHL across seven seasons for three different franchises.
- Was selected in the third round, 68th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
- Played college hockey for Boston University, appearing in the NCAA tournament.
Did You Know?
He majored in business administration at Boston University's Questrom School of Business.
Gryba was known for having one of the hardest slap shots on the Senators during his time there.
He served a three-game NHL suspension in 2013 for a hit on Montreal's Lars Eller during the playoffs.
“My job is to make the goalie's life easier and the opponent's life harder.”
