Don Granato, born on August 11, 1967, is an American former professional ice hockey player turned coach. Currently, he serves as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL).
During his playing career, Granato played two years with the Madison Capitals in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before joining the University of Wisconsin. He played for four years, winning a national title in the 1989–90 season and captaining the team in his final year (1990–91). After college, Granato played for the Columbus Chill in the ECHL for two years before retiring as a player to pursue coaching.
Granato's coaching journey began as the head coach for the Green Bay Gamblers and Wisconsin Capitols in the USHL from 1993 to 1997. He then coached the Columbus Chill in the ECHL in 1997, followed by the Peoria Rivermen in 1999, winning the Kelly Cup in 2000. His success led to the head coaching position with the Worcester IceCats in the AHL, where he won the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award in the 2000–01 season.
After coaching the USA Hockey National Team Development Program from 2013 to 2016, Granato served as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team in 2016. Later, he became an assistant coach for the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks in 2017. In 2019, he joined the Buffalo Sabres as an assistant coach and, on March 17, 2021, assumed the role of interim head coach, ultimately becoming the head coach on June 29, 2021.
Don Granato Salary
The Buffalo Sabres have signed coach Don Granato to a two-year contract extension, securing his position through the 2025-26 season. The extension, worth just under $2 million per season (excluding bonuses), reflects the team's improvement under Granato's leadership. General manager Kevyn Adams praised Granato for developing a young core of players, including standout performances by center Tage Thompson.
Don Granato took over as Buffalo's interim coach in March 2021, guiding the team to a 32-39-11 record in the 2021-22 season. Despite missing the playoffs, the Sabres demonstrated promise with a 12-6-3 finish, matching their best placing since 2011-12.
Granato implemented an up-tempo style and emphasized playing without fear, resulting in notable player improvements, such as Thompson's career-best 38 goals and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin's career highs in goals and points.
FAQ on Don Granato salary
A: Granato began his coaching career in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers and Wisconsin Capitols. He later coached in the ECHL, and AHL, and served as the head coach of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
A: Don Granato assumed the role of interim head coach for the Buffalo Sabres in March 2021 and officially became the head coach on June 29, 2021.
A: Granato signed a two-year contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres, securing his position through the 2025-26 season.
A: Don Granato's contract extension is worth just under $2 million per season (excluding bonuses).
A: Under Don Granato's leadership, the Buffalo Sabres achieved their best placing since the 2011-12 season, finishing the 2021-22 season with a 32-39-11 record.
