Tony Granato

Infobox Ice Hockey Player
played_for = New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks
position = Left Wing
height_ft = 5
height_in = 10
weight_lb = 185
league = NHL
shoots = Right
nationality = USA
birth_date = Birth date and age|1964|7|25|mf=y
birth_place = Downers Grove, Illinois, USA
draft = 120th overall
draft_year = 1982
draft_team = New York Rangers
career_start = 1988
career_end = 2001

Tony Granato (born July 25, 1964 in Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.) is a American retired National Hockey League leftwinger and the current head coach of the Colorado Avalanche.

Playing career

Following a college career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Granato was drafted by the New York Rangers in the sixth round (120th overall) in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He has played for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. In February 1994, Granato was suspended by the NHL for 15 games after he slashed Chicago's Neil Wilkinson in the head during a game in Los Angeles. As of 2005 this was the 7th longest suspension in NHL history. In 1997, while with the Sharks, Granato received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. He has four children.

Coaching career

On December 18, 2002, he became head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. He took over as the head coach after Bob Hartley was fired. Despite the slow start under Hartley, the Avalanche went 32–11–8 under Granato and earned a playoff spot. However they lost in the first round of the 2003 playoffs in seven games. In his first full season behind the bench, Granato led Colorado to an impressive 40–22–20 record. After defeating the Dallas Stars in 5 games, the Avalanche lost to San Jose in 6. It is unknown if Granato was fired or if he resigned, but after the disappointing playoff loss to the Sharks, Tony Granato would no longer be the head coach. He did however agree to stay on as an assistant. He held that position for three seasons. On May 22, 2008, Granato was once again named head coach of the Avalanche after the departure of Joel Quenneville.

Hockey player Cammi Granato is his younger sister and former NHL player Ray Ferraro is his brother-in-law.

ee also

* List of NHL head coaches
* List of NHL players

External links

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