The Blackhawks removed the interim label and signed Derek King to a two-year contract to be the head coach for the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL, the team announced Thursday. Additionally, the Blackhawks and AHL assistant coach Anders Sorensen agreed to a multi-year contract extension.
King, 52, replaced current Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton as interim head coach for the IceHogs in November. He led the IceHogs to a 29-28-3-4 record and missed the Calder Cup playoffs one year after reaching the Western Conference Final. King joined the Blackhawks organization in July 2016 after serving as an assistant for the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack (2015-16) and associate coach with the Toronto Marlies (2009-15).
Sorenson, 43, joined the IceHogs as an assistant in January, replacing current Blackhawks assistant coach Sheldon Brookbank. Sorensen was in his fifth season as a development coach for the Blackhawks before being elevated to the coaching staff.
On Wednesday, the Blackhawks and assistant coach Don Granato “mutually parted ways.”