According to ESPN’s John Buccigross, the Badgers appear ready to sign former Colorado Avalanche head coach Tony Granato to their currently vacant head coaching position. Granato, who is currently an assistant for the Detroit Red Wings, would be the fifth head coach in Badger men’s hockey history. 

After a four-year playing career with the Badgers (1983-1987) in which he was twice-named All-WCHA Second Team, Granato played 14 seasons in the NHL for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks. His NHL career was jeopardized after he suffered a serious head injury during a game with the Kings, but he would return to the ice for five more seasons with San Jose.

Granato served as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche on two different occasions, first following the firing of Bob Hartley in 2002, and again after then-coach Joel Quenneville left Colorado for Chicago in 2008. He compiled a career record of 104-78-17, with one playoff appearance.

The hiring of Granato puts to rest the speculation that 1980 Olympic hero and current Wisconsin Women’s head coach Mark Johnson would be hired to the men’s position, and begins to return a little stability to a program which has been wrought with uncertainty since the firing of Mike Eaves earlier in the month. Granato will inherit a team with plenty of upside, including two standout freshmen in forward Luke Kunin and goaltender Matt Jurusik.

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Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.