Former NHL player and coach Tony Granato is taking a temporary leave of absence from his job as a TV analyst for the Chicago Blackhawks and NHL Network after being diagnosed with cancer.
Granato, who played 13 seasons with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks before coaching the Colorado Avalance for three seasons, revealed Sunday that he will begin treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma this week.
‘My family, faith, and friends will be my strength to help me through my treatments. I appreciate all the love and support I have received already,’ he wrote in revealing his diagnosis.
Granato, 59, is a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and most recently coached at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin. He also coached Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
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Granato had 248 goals and 244 assists during his NHL career, winning the Bill Masterson Trophy in 1998 − an award given to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
After retiring, he coached the Avalanche for two seasons from 2002-2004, and then returned for the 2008-09 season, compiling an overall record of 104-78-17 (.560).
A native of suburban Chicago, Granato is the brother of Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato and his sister Cammi was the first woman ever inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.