Tony and Don Granato to leave Wings, NTDP for Wisconsin

March 27, 2016March 30, 2016 MiHockey Staff

By @MichaelCaples –

UPDATE (March 30, 10:30 a.m.): The University of Wisconsin has officially announced the hirings of Red Wings assistant coach Tony Granato and NTDP coach Don Granato, along with Mark Osiecki. Tony Granato will be the new head coach of the Badgers, while his brother and Osiecki – currently an assistant coach with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs – will be his assistant coaches. All three are Wisconsin alums.

We are thrilled to announce these #Badgers are returning to lead the @BadgerMHockey program. pic.twitter.com/d2sPivUiYL

— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) March 30, 2016

ESPN’s John Buccigross has reported that two notable coaches in the state of Michigan will be leaving soon for Wisconsin. Per Buccigross, Red Wings assistant coach Tony Granato will be named the new head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers’ hockey program. He will be joined by his brother Don, currently the head coach of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Under-17 Team in Plymouth.

Multiple sources tell me Tony Granato will be the next Head Hockey Coach at Wisconsin. Brother Donny will likely join him on staff.

— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) March 27, 2016

Tony Granato has been a head coach with the Colorado Avalanche in the past, and has spent the last two seasons with the Wings – first on Mike Babcock’s staff, and this year on Jeff Blashill’s staff.

Don Granato has been one of two head coaches – alongside Pontiac native Danton Cole – for the NTDP the last two seasons. He previously served as head coach of the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.

The Granato brothers are both University of Wisconsin alums. They will be taking over for recently fired Mike Eaves, who was the Badgers’ head coach since 2002.