Colliton Is Out, Derek King Steps In As Hawks Interim Head Coach

The Blackhawks have relieved Jeremy Colliton, Tomas Mitell and Sheldon Brookbank of their coaching duties and have named Derek King Interim Head Coach, effective immediately. https://t.co/2PggeNtIY4
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 6, 2021

Finally. The Chicago Blackhawks have fired head coach Jeremy Colliton and his assistant coaches Sheldon Brookbank and Thomas Mitell. This has been a long time coming. After an absolute dumpster fire start for the Hawks, both on and off the ice, someone had to go. I’m relieved this finally happened but I’m not going to sit here and dog on him forever. Colliton seemed like a great person but I didn’t want him coaching my hockey team and I’m happy he’s not anymore. Best of luck dude.

Now it’s time to look to the future.

Derek King is stepping in as interim head coach. As a player, King spent 14 years in the NHL between the Islanders, Maple Leafs, Hartford Whalers, and St. Louis between 1986 and 2000. He totaled 830 games with 612 points (261G 351A). In ’09, he started coaching with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL as an assistant coach, then in ’15 he went to assistant coach for the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL – that was very short-lived though. In 2016, King headed to the Rockford IceHogs as an assistant coach, then he was promoted to head coach when Colliton was promoted to head coach of the Blackhawks on November 6th, 2018. With King as their head coach, the team went 72-81-12 in 165 games. He’s a fresh start so I am giving him a chance to prove himself. I’m not assuming shit until he’s had some time to get to know the team, practice with them. This is a clean slate for a lot of guys who were never coached by him and some kids who have been down in the AHL get to work with someone they know.

The Hawks are 1-9-2 so far this season. They had an embarrassing loss to the Jets last night, ended 1-5. They looked lifeless, some of their players were flat-out bad. A new coach to shake things up could be a boost. I’m not saying this team is making playoffs, I just don’t want us to be this bad. So let him come in and try things out. Honestly, if he off-the-bat frees Dylan Strome from purgatory, he’ll get a brownie point in my book.

Best of luck to Colliton in his future endeavors, wouldn’t be shocked if he pops up coaching somewhere else. For now, let’s go, King. I hope he does us some good and if he’s as blunt as Pope says he is, I’m sure I’ll warm up to him quick.

I must add, Derek King is a good interview and good man, too. He's blunt, willing to tell the media (and everyone else) straight-up when things are good or bad. I'm intrigued how his personality changes things and looking forward to talking to him on a daily basis.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 6, 2021