LA Kings Legend Tony Granato on His US HHOF Induction and Alex Turcotte
- Updated: December 15, 2020
(Photo courtesy of uwbadgers.com)
He comes from one of hockey’s most prominent dynasties all the while creating his own success in the sport, first as a player and then as a coach. Yet, while 2020 may have been a transitional — not to mention unusual — year for those involved with hockey, Tony Granato can take solace in the silver lining that is his induction into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
I recently spoke with Mr. Granato who shared his thoughts on his induction and his biggest inspirations. Granato also shed some light on University of Wisconsin protege, and Los Angeles Kings prospect, Alex Turcotte making Team USA for the upcoming World Juniors.
A Chance for Redemption
Despite a successful freshman campaign in 2019-20 at Wisconsin, Alex Turcotte’s debut at the World Juniors last year wasn’t much to write home about.
While fellow Kings prospects Samuel Fagemo, Arthur Kaliyev and Akil Thomas each had productive tournaments, Turcotte was only able to muster two assists in five games at the 2020 World Juniors. Still, he and Wisconsin linemate, Cole Caufield, now have the experience under their belts, as the 19-year-old hopes to lead Team USA past their quarterfinal finish from last year.
Alex Turcotte (Rena Laverty)
Coach Granato is certainly looking forward to seeing what Turcotte and Caulfield can bring to the table this year.
“I think it’s really exciting,” Granato said. “It’s something they’ve looked forward to since last year. They were young players in the [2020 World Juniors], a hard tournament to have success at as young players, and they didn’t do as well as they hoped. So, this is a great opportunity for them.”
While his Wisconsin linemate has certainly contributed to his success, Turcotte knows that he and Caufield won’t be teammates in the NHL as the latter was drafted in 2019 by the Montreal Canadiens. Nevertheless, the upcoming World Juniors will be an exciting time for both Turcotte and Caufield.
“They’re both elite players that shied on the big stage and this is a big chance for them to have a wonderful tournament,” Granato added.
The Call to the Hall
His career in hockey spans nearly 40 years. This year, Tony Granato has been rightfully recognized for his vast contributions to the game as he was named a 2020 inductee for the United States Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 have forced the official induction to be delayed until 2021. Granato, however, is nonetheless thrilled with the news and has even taken the time to stop and reflect on his life in hockey and who to thank.
Photo credit: Graig Abel/Getty Images
First, I asked the Wisconsin men’s head coach where he was when he first heard that he was being inducted.
“That’s an easy one,” Granato responded with a chuckle. “I was actually down on campus. I was down by our locker room when I got a call from [USA Hockey Executive Director] Pat Kelleher probably even a couple of months before they announced it. It was a Saturday morning and I got a call from Pat saying, ‘Hey, just checking in. I got some big news for you,’ and he told me that I was going to be inducted.”
I then felt the need to ask who Granato immediately thought of when he received the good news.
“All of my family, but my dad, my mom and my brothers and sisters,” the Kings legend noted. “Just how fortunate and blessed I’ve been– there are a lot of emotions that run through your mind when you get any sort of recognition like that. So, I was very humbled and went back to the old days of playing hockey in the basement with my family. Those were the memories. Then, you go through and think of all the teammates, coaches and people in the game of hockey that you’re lucky enough to be a part of. So, it’s kind of a way to reflect when something like that happens and that’s what I used it for: to take a timeout to look back on the fun stuff and be thankful for all of the experiences hockey has given to me and my family.”
Still, there was one person in particular whom the former NHLer was especially thankful for.
“My dad,” a matter-of-fact Granato said. “My dad’s been my inspiration, my mentor and really set the example of what his values were and how he was and is as a person and as a dad when I was a young kid. He’s been the most influential on me as a person and I try to be everything that I’ve learned from him. He’s my guy.”
Photo credit: Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Granato family has rightfully earned its place in hockey lore.
Photo credit: David E. Klutho/Getty Images
With sister Cammi paving the way for women hockey figures everywhere and brother Don garnering success as a coach at multiple levels, including currently in the NHL, Tony has added a wealth of his own experience and success to his family’s rich lineage in the sport. Even now at his alma mater, Tony is shaping the stars of tomorrow, including aforementioned Kings prospect Alex Turcotte.
Speaking of the latter, be sure to keep an eye on him at the 2021 World Juniors, set to begin on Christmas Day from Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. Even as a Canadian, this writer is excited to see what Team USA has in store, and Turcotte is a big part of that.
As for Tony Granato, he is beyond humbled and thankful for his recognition by the United States Hockey Hall of Fame committee. He may be appreciative of what he has now but he has never forgotten where he came from and who helped him along the way. That includes his father, Don, his mother, Natalie, and his five siblings: a family from Downers Grove, Illinois, who put their proverbial stamp on the game of hockey.
Once a King, always a King. Let this be a time to recognize and to thank Tony Granato for his contributions to the Kings but to the game of hockey overall. After all, there are few more deserving of a United States Hockey Hall of Fame induction than Tony Granato.
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