- 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 = 2001Tony Granato (born
July 25 ,1964 in Downers Grove,Illinois , U.S.) is a American retiredNational Hockey League leftwinger and the currenthead coach of theColorado Avalanche .Playing career
Following a college career at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison , Granato was drafted by theNew York Rangers in the sixth round (120th overall) in the1982 NHL Entry Draft . He has played for the New York Rangers,Los Angeles Kings andSan Jose Sharks . In February 1994, Granato was suspended by the NHL for 15 games after he slashed Chicago'sNeil 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 theBill Masterton Memorial Trophy . He has four children.Coaching career
On
December 18 ,2002 , he became head coach of theColorado 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. OnMay 22 ,2008 , Granato was once again named head coach of the Avalanche after the departure ofJoel Quenneville .Hockey player
Cammi Granato is his younger sister and former NHL playerRay Ferraro is his brother-in-law.ee also
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List of NHL head coaches
*List of NHL players External links
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