(WFRV) – A former Green Bay Gamblers coach with 30+ years of experience across hockey is set to return to the bench in May as the head coach of the 2026 U.S. Men’s Team for the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
Don Granato, who coached the Green Bay Gamblers to the 1996 USHL Clark Cup, is set to take over the reins for the event, which takes place in Switzerland from May 15-31.
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Granato has coached all across hockey in North America, including a season as an associate coach for the Wisconsin Badgers men’s team, two seasons behind the bench for the Chicago Blackhawks as an assistant and most recently as the Buffalo Sabres head coach from 2021-24.
The Downers Grove, Illinois, native also played four seasons with the Badgers during his collegiate career, winning a national championship in 1990.
The U.S. enters the tournament as the reigning champs.
