Granato Elected to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

Former Colorado Avalanche head coach Tony Granato will be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, USA Hockey announced on Monday evening.
Granato had two stints as the head coach of the Avalanche, running the bench for three seasons in total. He took over the head duties for the final 51 games during the 2002-03 campaign and also coached the club during the 2003-04 season, leading the Avs to the playoffs both years and a Northwest Division title in 2003. The Downers Grove, Illinois, native was the Avs' head coach in 2008-09 as well.

Overall, he had a 104-89-22 regular-season record in his time as Colorado's head coach and ranks eighth in franchise history in both games (215) and wins (104) while sporting a 9-9 record in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Granato also spent parts of four seasons as an assistant coach for the Avalanche on the staffs of Bob Hartley (2002-03) and Joel Quenneville (2005-2008).
Granato played 13 NHL seasons from 1988-2001 for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks, recording 492 points (248 goals and 244 assists) in 774 games.
Currently the head coach at the University of Wisconsin, Granato was the men's head coach for Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games and was an assistant coach for the men's squad at the 2014 Olympic. As a player, he represented the U.S. at seven international events, including at the 1988 Olympic Games.
The 2020 U.S. Hall of Fame Class also includes Dean Blais, Jenny Potter and Jerry York, and the foursome will be enshrined alongside the yet-to-be-named 2021 Class in December 2021. Tony's sister, Cammi Granato, was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.