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“Don is an excellent coach who brings a wealth of experience,”
said Peterson, who also assistant GM of the NHL's back-to-back
Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers. “He really understands
the international hockey landscape and what it takes to win.”
Granato, 58, has been an assistant at worlds three times. He has
also been on staff for two under-18 championships and one world
juniors, along with time at the U.S. National Team Development
Program.
The Illinois native most recently coached the Buffalo Sabres for
parts of four seasons from 2021-24.
“I’m excited to work with our players and staff in building a
team that represents our country well and competes for a gold
medal,” Granato said.
He's coaching the defending champions. The U.S. won the
tournament last year, the first country’s first title at worlds
since 1933 after several top players decided to take part
following a loss to Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off the
previous February.
Four of those players — defenseman Zach Werenski, forwards Tage
Thompson and Clayton Keller and goaltender Jeremy Swayman —
helped the U.S. win gold at the Olympics for the first time
since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.
Traditionally, players who take part in the Games for several
countries tend to forego participating in the world
championships in Olympic years, even if their teams fail to
qualify for the playoffs or get knocked out in the first round.
The event this year takes place May 15-31 in Fribourg,
Switzerland.
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