Complete with a few band and spirit squad members, Bucky Badger and an open invitation to the public, Athletic Director Barry Alvarez welcomed head coach Tony Granato and associate head coaches Don Granato and Mark Osiecki back to Wisconsin hockey.
“I wanted to come home. When someone said, ‘Why would you leave the NHL?’ I said, ‘Because I’m going back to Madison.’ And that was an easy answer,” Tony said in his opening remarks.
Alvarez began the presser by quoting Badger legend Bob Johnson, saying, “It’s a great day for hockey.”
“We’ve got a long and storied history of success and championships,” Alvarez said after quoting Johnson. “I’m very confident that we’ve taken the right steps today in re-establishing the dominance of our hockey program.”
Tony, who is currently an associate coach with the Detroit Red Wings, along with Alvarez, highlighted the tradition of Wisconsin hockey. He also emphasized his Wisconsin roots and deep ties to Madison.
“A lot of you have said you’re happy to have me back. I want you guys all to know I’m happier to be back,” Tony said to begin his comments. “I think from the moment I left campus, always in the back of my mind and in my heart was ‘please someday end up back in Madison.’”
Tony then talked about how important the Badger hockey program continued to be for him, despite being away from it for nearly 30 years now.
“Badger hockey has never left my heart,” Tony said. “We have a special bond, a brotherhood, a fraternity, that is really hard to leave. It’s been with me since the day I left and to be back here and representing that group as the next head coach means a lot to me.”
He said Alvarez called him about two weeks ago seeking advice about what direction to take the program. Alvarez then hinted at him possibly becoming the next head coach. Granato said “absolutely,” but only if he could bring his brother Don and Osiecki with him.
“These two guys are head coaches. They are two of the most respected people I know in the game of hockey,” Tony said.
The chemistry between the three was evident throughout the press conference. All three talked about how easy the decision was for them and how excited they are to be uniting forces.
Don said the three had often talked about coaching together on golf outings and fishing trips and texted “non-stop” once they had found out about the opportunity.
“The conversations [about coming to UW] were short and quick and to the point,” Don said. “This is not a job that you turn down. We had pretty good jobs. When Tony called Mark and I, never mind those pretty good jobs. This is a great job.”
Added Osiecki: “There wasn’t a decision to be made. This athletic department feels like family. I’ve known these guys for over 30 years. They’re family. The thing we talked about is how much fun is it going to be to pull up to the Kohl Center each day?”
From an operational standpoint, Tony said Osiecki will handle the defense and Don the offense. Additionally, Tony is finishing out the season with the Red Wings, who are currently one point short of a playoff spot. Osiecki is also finishing his duties with the Rockford IceHogs, the Chicago Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate. Don will run the day-to-day operations of the team until Tony and Osiecki complete their respective seasons.
The three placed a heavy influence on recruiting as well. Osiecki is widely regarded as a recruiting superstar and was part of the staff that assembled the 2006 National Champion Badgers. Don has been the coach of the USA development team and has a multitude of connections to the talented youth.
“It’s gonna take work. But we’re going after the best recruits and we’re gonna get ‘em,” Tony said.
Freshmen Luke Kunin and Matt Jurusik both expressed excitement about the new coaching staff after putting together successful freshman campaigns.
“I couldn’t be happier with this group of guys coaching us,” Kunin said. “I think they’re legends.”
Added Jurusik: “I’m really excited for the way this program is moving and the way the guys can take this to the next level.”
Kunin, who is projected as a first-round draft pick, said the coaching change hasn’t affected his thought process about potentially jumping to the NHL.
“If anything I’m more excited to come back here,” Kunin said. “This is a place I want to be as long as I can until I’m ready to make the jump to the NHL.”
By all accounts, this is a splash of a hire that has the potential to reinvigorate a dead fan base. Granato takes the job with extremely high expectations and is not afraid to make those clear.
“We’re gonna be back like we were in the Bob Johnson and the early Jeff Sauer years and the early Mike Eaves years,” Tony said. “When we weren’t just winning, but we had a product on the ice that when the building was jammed and Mike Leckrone’s band was going nuts, there was energy, there was passion, the community was behind us, the students were behind us. And that’s what our goal is.”
