Professional Playing Career

Gruden was selected 168th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Throughout his NHL career, he played for the Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, and Ottawa Senators. He appeared in over 92 regular season games, recording one goal, eight assists, and a total of nine points, along with 46 penalty minutes.

In addition to his NHL experience, Gruden played overseas in Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) with Eisbären Berlin, further expanding his professional resume. He notably returned to the NHL during the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season, beginning the year in the minors before being called up late in the season. He participated in 14 regular-season games and three playoff contests, performing reliably as a depth defenseman.

Coaching Career and Development

Following his retirement from professional play, Gruden transitioned into coaching. He served as an assistant coach for the Detroit Little Caesars AAA hockey club, working specifically with the Squirt 2000 squad. He also coached briefly at Brother Rice High School, helping to train young talent, including forward Patrick VanDusen.

Gruden’s coaching journey included a tenure with the Stoney Creek High School Cougars in Michigan, where he collaborated with NHL alumnus Greg Johnson. Additionally, he was involved with the Red Wings Alumni Association, contributing to community outreach and player development initiatives.

USA Hockey and International Success

Continuing to build his coaching credentials, Gruden joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program as an assistant coach. In this role, he played a part in helping Team USA capture the gold medal at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championship—a significant milestone in his coaching career.