[2] Committing to a collegiate career with Miami University, Gruden as a freshman in the 2018–19 season, collected just 3 goals and 15 points through 38 games.
After just one season with the RedHawks, Gruden left the program and was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators on April 3, 2019.
Prior to the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Gruden was traded by the Senators, along with a 2020 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for two-time Stanley Cup winning goaltender Matt Murray on October 8, 2020.
[6] Gruden was recalled by Pittsburgh in January 2023 and made his NHL debut in a 4–3 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
[10] Gruden had a brief call-up (four hours) in November 2023 that did not result in any playing time,[11] and was then returned to the AHL before being recalled on December 8[12] and making his season debut that night for Pittsburgh against the Florida Panthers.