After a bounce-back season that saw the Wisconsin men’s hockey team return to the NCAA tournament discussion, the Badgers must replace a key member of the coaching staff.
Associate head coach Don Granato has been hired as an assistant coach by the Chicago Blackhawks. Granato departs just a year after joining Wisconsin as part of the coaching “Dream Team” alongside his brother, head coach Tony Granato, and fellow associate head coach Mark Osiecki.
In essence, Don Granato is going from one dream job to another, a move he described as "bittersweet."
Not only is he returning to his Illinois roots – the Granato family is based in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove – he's being reunited with Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville.