After a stint as Interim Head Coach with the Buffalo Sabres this past season, former Green Bay Gamblers head coach Don Granato is officially the 20th head coach in Sabres history. The move to give Granato the leadership role full time was announced on Tuesday. Granato was the head coach of the Gamblers from 1994-1997, when he led the squad to two national championships, two Anderson Cups, and a Clark Cup. Granato’s experience includes stops at the collegiate, ECHL, AHL, USHL, and NHL in both head coach and assistant coach roles. 

In the NHL, Granato was an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues from 2005-2006, the Chicago Blackhawks from 2017-2019, and the Buffalo Sabres from 2019 until last season. Buffalo has had a close look at Granato as the head man since March 17th, when he was named the interim. Under Granato, the Sabres went 9-16-3. Granato will have his work cut out for him, as the Sabres haven’t made it to the playoffs in a decade. 

(Photo courtesy of @BuffaloSabres)