IceCats Coach Receives Extension

Published on June 24, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester IceCats News Release


WORCESTER, MA- Larry Pleau, the St. Louis Blues Senior VP/GM and Worcester IceCats GM of Hockey Operations, today announced that IceCats Head Coach Don Granato has been awarded a contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not released.

The 2004-2005 season will be Granato's fifth at the helm of the Blues' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He has compiled a record of 159-117-44 with the IceCats, a winning percentage of .566, and has qualified for the playoffs in each of his four seasons. During his first season with the ‘Cats, Granato led the club to a franchise record 48 wins and the team's first AHL regular season title. For his efforts during the 2000-2001 season, Granato was presented with the Louis A.R. Pieri Award as the AHL's Coach of the Year.

Granato's coaching career began in 1994 with the expansion Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. As a result of his foundation-building efforts, he captured two championships in 1996 and 1997. Granato was then summoned to lead the Columbus Chill, a club that he had previously played for from 1991 to 1993. He served as head coach and general manager for the ECHL team from 1997 to 1999. He then coached one season for the Blues' ECHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, guiding the team to a 45-20-5 record and winning the Kelly Cup, which is awarded to the ECHL champion.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Granato captained the winningest four-year class in the history of the university hockey program, which included a 1990 National Championship. From 1987 to 1991, Granato played in 162 games for the Badgers, registering 88 points (45 goals, 43 assists) and 150 penalty minutes.

The 36 year-old Downers Grove, Illinois native became the all-time winningest coach in IceCats history with his 146th victory last season. He reached the milestone with a win on February 14th over Philadelphia. All-time, Granato has a 358-253-67 record as a head coach and a .577 winning percentage.

The IceCats will play the first home game of the 2004-2005 season at Worcester's Centrum Centre on October 16th. Season ticket packages are on sale now at the IceCats offices, located at 105 Commercial Street in downtown Worcester and by contacting an IceCats ticket representative at 800-830-CATS.

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