The Chicago Blackhawks named Jeremy Colliton of Blackie, Alberta their head coach on Monday. Colliton takes over from Joel Quenneville of Windsor, Ontario, who was relieved of his duties.
Colliton is now the youngest active head coach in the National Hockey League. He is only 33 years of age. Prior to being named the head coach of the Blackhawks, Colliton spent time coaching in Sweden with Mora IK and then this past year with the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks, American Hockey League affiliate.
In 2017-18, the IceHogs had a record of 40 wins, 28 regulation losses and eight losses in extra time. The IceHogs reached the Western Conference Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs before losing in six games to the Texas Stars. In 2018-19, the IceHogs have a record of six wins, three regulation losses and three losses in extra time.
It will now be interesting the direction the Blackhawks will take, and if they start a rebuilding process. It should be noted that four Blackhawks are older than their head coach. They are left winger Chris Kunitz of Regina, Saskatchewan, defenseman Duncan Keith of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and goaltenders Corey Crawford of Montreal, Quebec and Cam Ward of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Colliton meanwhile played 57 games with the New York Islanders from 2005-2011, He had three goals and three assists for six points. Colliton becomes the second Canadian to be named the head coach of a National Hockey League team this week. On Sunday, Willie Desjardins of Climax, Saskatchewan was named the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings.
