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Tony Granato named head coach of USA Hockey for 2018 Olympics

By Nic Hendrickson

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 1: Assistant coach Tony Granato of the Detroit Red Wings watches the action from the bench during an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at Joe Louis Arena on December 1, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Sabres 5-4 in a shoot-out. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 1: Assistant coach Tony Granato of the Detroit Red Wings watches the action from the bench during an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at Joe Louis Arena on December 1, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Sabres 5-4 in a shoot-out. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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University of Wisconsin men’s hockey coach Tony Granato has been named head coach of Team USA for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

USA Hockey has announced that Tony Granato will be the head coach for the upcoming 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. The news came with the announcement of assistant coaches as well. This will be Granato’s first head coaching job with USA Hockey and Chris Chelios, Scott Young, Keith Allain and Ron Rolston will be his assistants.

Granato has previously held head coach positions in the NHL, and is currently coaching the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey team.

In a press release shared by the NHL, Granato said this about the opportunity:

"When USA Hockey asks if you’d like to be part of an Olympic staff, a national team staff, you’re there. That’s what shows how special these events and tournaments mean to those lucky enough to play in them. I’ve experienced a lot through the game of hockey and there’s nothing better than to walk into an Olympic village, to walk into an Olympic arena, to walk into an opening ceremony and to have your colors and represent your country."

Jim Johansson, who will be the general manager, spoke of his confidence about the entire staff:

"These guys are all great competitors. Tony is one of the best competitors I ever played with. Chris Chelios’ career speaks for itself. Scott Young very quietly was one of the best competitors to ever put the USA jersey on. I know they’re going to instill that in the players that we get. I also know they’re going to have the ultimate respect the players are giving us."

While this will be Granato’s first time as head coach of USA Hockey, he comes with a very impressive coaching, and playing, resume. Granato first played for the University of Wisconsin from 1983-87. He played in 151 games for the Badgers, scoring 100 goals and adding 120 assists to his career tally.

Granato was selected in the sixth round, 120th overall, of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers. While he would only play parts of two seasons with the Rangers, Granato would go on to have a successful NHL career totaling 248 goals, 244 assists and 1,425 penalty minutes over the course of 774 games.

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Granato’s coaching career is equally as impressive, holding head coach positions at the NHL and NCAA level since 2002. In 215 games as a head coach in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche he went 104-78-17-16. He was also an assistant with Colorado, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings.

Since taking over at Wisconsin in 2016, Granato has reinvigorated the program. Granato led the Badgers to a second place finish in the Big Ten, finishing 12-8-0 in the conference, in his first season.

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