Wolves Granato Named Head Coach of PlanetUSA Team for 2009 AHL All-Star Classic
Published on December 22, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
Chicago Wolves Head Coach DON GRANATO has been named head coach for the PlanetUSA Team at the 2009 American Hockey League All-Star Classic in Worcester, Mass.
This marks GRANATO's first AHL All-Star coaching stint and the second time the coach of the Wolves will lead an AHL All-Star team, which includes former Wolves Head Coach John Anderson leading the Canadian Team to a 10-7 victory at the 2003 AHL All-Star Classic in Portland, Maine.
"I am proud to represent the Wolves on behalf of the coaching staff of John Anderson, Todd Nelson and Wendell Young, who led last year's team to the Calder Cup. Any time you get to do something on the league level, it is pretty neat, and it's always special to be around the players at these events, who are some of the best in our league," said GRANATO. "Not having Worcester on our schedule this year, it will be great to get back to a place where I have so many good memories."
A native of Downers Grove, Ill., GRANATO is serving in his first season as head coach of the Wolves after joining the team in July 2008. Under his direction, the defending Calder Cup Champions have returned to first place in the West Division, posting an 18-11-1-1 mark and 38 points through 31 games.
The 41-year-old previously served as head coach of the AHL's Worcester IceCats from 2000 to 2005, which includes leading the team to their first-ever AHL regular-season title and a franchise record 48 wins in 2000-01. He was named the AHL's Coach of the Year and recipient of the Louis A. R. Pieri Award that season, his first in the league.
GRANATO's 12-year coaching career has also seen him capture the ECHL's Kelly Cup Championship as head coach of the Peoria Rivermen in 2000 and serve as the assistant coach for the National Hockey League's St. Louis Blues during the 2005-06 season. He most recently served as a pro scout for the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs before taking the helm of the Wolves this summer.
The 2009 AHL All-Star Classic will take place at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., beginning with the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sun., Jan. 25, and concluding with the 2009 AHL All-Star Game on Mon., Jan. 26.
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