Chicago Blackhawks: Downers Grove Native Don Granato Joins Coaching Team

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A less than stellar season was a bummer for Chicago Blackhawks fans, but the team is hoping a shift in the coaching staff will restore the team to its former glory. Among the new additions to the Blackhawks coaching is Downers Grove native Don Grannato, who will join Ulf Samuelsson as an assistant coach for the Hawks.

The announcement came Thursday via a release from the Blackhawks. Grannato, 49, is glad to be returning to the Chicago area after playing and coaching hockey professionally around the country for decades. He said in a statement, "I'm happy to be back in Chicago, however, it is the challenge of the Blackhawks mandate of future success that motivates me most." Grannato brings with him extensive experience that includes working as head coach for the Chicago Wolves and as an assistant coach with St. Louis Blues, where he worked with Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville. Grannato acknowledges Quenneville as one of his inspirations. He says, "Joel has been very influential and inspirational to my coaching career and to be back with him in a greater capacity is an exceptional opportunity."

Samuelsson also has extensive experience coaching. He spent 16 seasons playing in the NHL, according to a statement, and won the Stanley Cup twice when he played for Pittsburgh. He also played on the Swedish Olympic team and most recently served as head coach for the AHL's Charlotte Checkers.

>>Image credit: By Christophe95 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons