Tony Granato could lead Wisconsin to the NCAA hockey finals. He could play on the 1988 United States Olympic team. He could even play in the National Hockey League. So many opportunities lie ahead for this hockey player.
His career is almost like a breakaway. He is in control. He can see everything in front of him. There seem to be no obstacles.
Granato is one of the lucky ones. He is living a young hockey player`s dream. Granato, a center from Downers Grove, is winging through the early stages, savoring each year.
He is the top scorer for seventh-ranked Wisconsin, a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The 5-foot-10-inch, 175-pound junior also led the Badgers last season with 33 goals and 34 assists in 42 games.
Granato may be another Ed Olczyk, a local boy who made good. Olczyk, a 19-year-old from Palos Heights, played on the 1984 Olympic team and now is a member of the Black Hawks. Barring injury, illness or an irresistible pro contract, Granato is expected to make the 1988 Olympic team.
”We would certainly like to see him be around for the Olympics,” said Wisconsin coach Jeff Sauer, a member of the Olympic coaching staff.
Granato was drafted by the New York Rangers in 1982. There is always a chance the lure of pro hockey would be too strong for Granato to turn down before the Olympics.
”You know with pro sports, it`s a money situation,” Sauer said. ”If they came in with enough money, he`d be receptive to what they have to offer. But he`s had success at Wisconsin. When we recruited him, it was to play for us, and then you got to the Olympics and then pro hockey. They are the type of players we have to keep to have a chance in the Olympics.
”He has potential to play in the NHL. He`s a Denis Savard type of player, an exciting type player. If the opportunity arose to play on the Olympic team, he`d jump on it.”
”I`d like to,” Granato said. ”I really enjoy the international style hockey, the big rinks. Playing for your country, that would be great if it worked out that way.
”I`ll finish this year and see what happens. I`d like to play for the Olympic team and then play for the Rangers. I haven`t really talked to them. I don`t know what their plans are for me.”
Whatever the plan, it will work out as long as the puck continues to find its way from Granato`s stick past enemy goaltenders.
Granato centered the No. 1 line for the U.S. National team that played in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships last year in Czechoslovakia. Sauer was an assistant for the U.S. team, which placed fourth out of eight teams.
”Tony has proven he can play with the world class level,” Sauer said.
”The big ice surface (210 feet by 100 feet) is conducive to his game.
”He`s very clever with the puck. He can score goals. He`s got the skills you can`t teach. He has a good shot, a quick shot. He can put the puck where you want it to go.”
That was true when Granato played for Downers Grove North High School. After two years there, Granato transferred to Northwood Prep School in Lake Placid, N.Y., for two seasons before going to Wisconsin.
”When he first came here, he had been the best player on every team he played on,” Sauer said. ”He just took the puck and beat everybody on the ice and scored. His attitude was if he didn`t do it, no one else could. He has learned to use his teammates, interact with his teammates.”
”It`s tough to adjust to this level of hockey,” Granato said. ”When you come in as a freshman, they guide you a lot. It takes time. You`ve got to be at your best all the time. You can`t let up for a minute or somebody will burn you.”
Wisconsin is 22-10 overall, 20-8 in the WCHA, which trails only Denver`s 20-6 league mark. Granato expected the Badgers to have a good season.
”We had a lot of returning players, and we only brought in a couple freshmen,” Granato said. ”We felt we were in the best shape of any WCHA team as far as returning players. We thought we`d be in the race the whole way, and we have been.”
The great expectations continue for Tony Granato.
”I always dreamed about playing college hockey and maybe professional someday,” Granato said. ”Every player dreams it that way. I`m just glad it worked out.”
