Former NHLer Tony Granato announces battle with cancer

Many from around the hockey landscape sent their regards to Granato, from fellow members of the media, to teams around the league. That includes the Buffalo Sabres, where his brother Don is the head coach.

The older brother of Hockey Hall of Famer Cammi Granato, played in the NHL for 14 seasons, spending time with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. In 774 games, Granato scored 248 goals and 244 assists, registering 1,425 penalty minutes.

He played alongside the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robataille, Patrick Marleau, Mike Vernon and others. The Illinois native represented the United States at two World Junior Championships, three World Championships, the 1988 Olympics and 1991 Canada Cup that saw the Americans finish second to Team Canada.

Granato was also named an NHL All-Star in 1997, the same year he was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy after suffering a serious head injury in January 1996.

Granato coached the Colorado Avalanche for three seasons, most recently in the 2008-09 season, going 104-78-16 with 17 ties in 215 regular-season games, posting a 9-9 record in two Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. He also spent seven seasons as the boss at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, from 2016 to 2023, leading the Badgers to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

He also coached the men’s U.S. team in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, where the Americans finished seventh.