Don Granato to coach Team USA at men’s worlds

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Former Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato has got himself a new gig.

Granato has been selected as the U.S. coach for the IIHF world championships, USA Hockey national team general manager Brett Peterson announced on Wednesday.

“Don is an excellent coach who brings a wealth of experience,” said Peterson, who also assistant GM of the NHL’s back-to-back Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers in a statement issued by USA Hockey. “He really understands the international hockey landscape and what it takes to win.”

Granato, 58, has been an assistant at worlds three times. He has also been on staff for two under-18 championships and one world juniors, along with time at the U.S. National Team Development Program.

The Illinois native most recently coached the Buffalo Sabres for parts of four seasons from 2021-24 to a record of 122-125-27 in 274 games after coming to the club as an assistant coach in 2019-20.

“I’m excited to work with our players and staff in building a team that represents our country well and competes for a gold medal,” Granato said in the statement.

He’s coaching the defending champions. The U.S. won the tournament last year, the first country’s first title at worlds since 1933 after several top players decided to take part following a loss to Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off the previous February.

Four of those players — defenseman Zach Werenski, forwards Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller and goaltender Jeremy Swayman — helped the U.S. win gold at the Olympics for the first time since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.

Traditionally, players who take part in the Games for several countries tend to forego participating in the world championships in Olympic years, even if their teams fail to qualify for the playoffs or get knocked out in the first round.

The event this year takes place May 15-31 in Fribourg, Switzerland.

–with files from Sportsnet staff