Tony Granato
Tony Granato is the Former Head Coach for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Men's Ice Hockey team. Previously, Granato was an assistant for the Detroit Red Wings and also coached for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also served as assistant coach under head coach Dan Bylsma for Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
Prior to joining the Penguins, Granato spent six seasons with the Colorado Avalanche and served two stints as Avalanche head coach (2002-04 and 2008-09). Granato compiled a 104-78-17-16 record and led Colorado to a Northwest Division title in 2003.
Granato joined the Avalanche organization in June, 2002, as an assistant coach. He was elevated to head coach Dec. 18, 2002 and led the club to a 32-11-4-4 mark en route to its ninth consecutive division title. The following season Granato steered the club to a 40-22-13-7 finish and Western Conference semifinals appearance.
The Downers Grove, Illinois native served as an assistant coach for the Avalanche from 2005-08. He was promoted to a second tenure as head coach in 2008 and oversaw the development of a young Colorado team.
Granato played 13 NHL seasons with NY Rangers (1988-90), Los Angeles (90-96) and San Jose (96-01). In 1997, he played in the NHL All-Star Game and was the recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for overcoming a near career-ending brain injury.
In 773 career NHL games, the feisty forward posted 248 goals, 492 points and 1,425 penalty minutes. He tallied 16 goals, 43 points and 141 penalty minutes in 79 career playoff games, and helped lead Los Angeles to a Stanley Cup Final berth in 1993.
Granato played four seasons at the University of Wisconsin and was inducted into the Badgers’ Hall of Fame in 2000. He also played for the U.S. National Team in 1987-88 and represented his country in the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary.
Tony and his wife, Linda, are the parents of four children and reside in the South Hills.