Former Red Wings Assistant Coach Granato Diagnosed With Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Former NHL forward and coach Tony Granato, who served a tenure as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings, was announcing on Sunday that he’ll be stepping away from his duties as an analyst with the NHL Network and on Chicago Blackhawks broadcasts.

Granato went on to reveal that he is battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

pic.twitter.com/XQD3HVx7WV

— Tony Granato (@TonyGranato) December 11, 2023

“I debated how to share this news but I will be taking a temporary leave of absence from NBC Sports Chicago and Blackhawks broadcasts, as well as (the) NHL Network,” Granato was announcing via X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

“I was recently diagnosed with a form on Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and will begin treatment this week.”

Granato Spent Two Seasons With Red Wings

Granato was part of the Detroit coaching staff from 2014-16. He would serve one season working under Mike Babcock and was a retainee on the staff when Jeff Blashill took over as Red Wings head coach for the 2015-16 NHL season. That would be the most recent Detroit squad to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Granato made the decision to be leaving the staff of the Red Wings in 2016. He would come to that decision when his alma mater, the Wisconsin Badgers, were offering him their head-coaching position.

Granato A Long-Time NHL Star

An NHL playing career with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks saw Granato net 30+ goals in four separate seasons. He was an NHL All-Star Game selection in 1996-97. That same season, he was the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance and dedication to the game of hockey.

Tony Granato said he will begin treatment for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma this week.

It goes without saying that thousands of people around Madison and the hockey community will be pulling for the former Badgers coach and player.https://t.co/GhaO4iy1i6

— Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) December 11, 2023

He would serve two stints as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. Granato was also head coach of the USA Hockey men’s team at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. He was honored as an inductee to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.

Granato’s brother Don is head coach of the Buffalo Sabres. His sister Cammi Granato is assistant GM of the Vancouver Canucks.