"I think the coaching staff is very high class," he said. "You can't really find this anywhere else, at least college hockey-wise. So I know with this group of guys, we have something special going on. Especially with this new group coming in, I don't think it would have been smart to leave early and leave these guys behind."

The Badgers are ranked 16th nationally and were picked to finish third in the Big Ten.

Granato has been away from the Badgers while his brother, Don, has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Don Granato, a former UW player and associate head coach, is an assistant coach with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.

Tony Granato won't be back in Madison for Sunday's 12:30 p.m. scrimmage at the Kohl Center, Osiecki said.

Dhooghe returns

Right wing Sean Dhooghe was back at practice Saturday in a blue, no-contact jersey after he was injured in practice Tuesday. He appeared to be favoring his left arm as he skated off the ice after a heavy collision with the end boards.

His absence from Thursday's practice was called precautionary, and he's not expected to miss game time.

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