Tony Granato

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

[edit] 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 of 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

Preceded by Gary Roberts	Bill Masterton Trophy Winner 1997	Succeeded by Jamie McLennan
Preceded by Bob Hartley	Colorado Avalanche Head Coach 2002–2004	Succeeded by Joel Quenneville
Preceded by Joel Quenneville	Colorado Avalanche Head Coach 2008 – present	Incumbent

v • d • e Colorado Avalanche Head Coaches

Crawford • Hartley • Granato • Quenneville • Granato

v • d • e Current head coaches of the National Hockey League
Eastern Conference	Atlantic	B. Sutter (New Jersey)	T. Nolan (N.Y. Islanders)	T. Renney (N.Y. Rangers)	J. Stevens (Philadelphia)	M. Therrien (Pittsburgh)
	Northeast	C. Julien (Boston)	L. Ruff (Buffalo)	G. Carbonneau (Montreal)	C.Hartsburg (Ottawa)	R. Wilson (Toronto)
	Southeast	D. Waddell (Atlanta)	P. Laviolette (Carolina)	Vacancy (Florida)	Vacancy (Tampa Bay)	B. Boudreau (Washington)
Western Conference	Central	D. Savard (Chicago)	K. Hitchcock (Columbus)	M. Babcock (Detroit)	B. Trotz (Nashville)	A. Murray (St. Louis)
	Northwest	M. Keenan (Calgary)	T. Granato (Colorado)	C. MacTavish (Edmonton)	J. Lemaire (Minnesota)	A. Vigneault (Vancouver)
	Pacific	R. Carlyle (Anaheim)	D. Tippett (Dallas)	Vacancy (Los Angeles)	W. Gretzky (Phoenix)	T. McLellan (San Jose)