PEORIA — Don Granato is back at the helm for an elite job in hockey.
The former Peoria Rivermen head coach was named head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
The prestigious international battle is set for May 15-31 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
Granato led the Rivermen to the class-AA ECHL’s Kelly Cup championship in the 1999-2000 season, which culminated in an epic title-round series that is lore in the 44-year franchise’s history.
He was inducted into the Rivermen Hall of Fame in 2008.
Granato’s deep resume includes stints in the NHL, AHL and ECHL in professional hockey; at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program; and in college hockey and also the USHL.
He has served as either head coach or assistant for six previous IIHF world championships, including three IIHF Men’s World Championships; one IIHF World Junior Championship; and two IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championships.
“I’m honored to be asked to coach our men’s national team,” said Granato, 58, via USA Hockey. “Anytime you have the opportunity to represent your country, it’s incredibly meaningful. 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.”
The Downer’s Grove native was head coach of the Buffalo Sabres from 2021-24 and spent two seasons as an assistant with the Chicago Blackhawks and a season on the St. Louis Blues staff in 2005-06.
He takes over a USA National Team that is the defending gold medalist. The upcoming 16-team tournament has Team USA in Group A for the preliminary round alongside Austria, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia and host Switzerland. All Group A games will be played at Swiss Life Arena in Zurich.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star senior writer and sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Former Peoria Rivermen coach tabbed to lead US National Team at IIHF World Championships
Reporting by Dave Eminian, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
