Jeremy Colliton has been named the next head coach of the Rockford IceHogs. The Chicago Blackhawks announced the new coach for their AHL affiliate on Thursday morning.
Colliton, 32, has spent the past four seasons coaching for Mora IK in Sweden. He replaces Ted Dent, who was fired by the Blackhawks following the end of a disappointing 2016-17 season.
“Jeremy’s experience as a player and a coach will allow him to be a great leader and mentor for our young prospects in Rockford,” said Hawks general manager Stan Bowman in a statement. “He is coming off a great start to his coaching career with four successful seasons in Sweden and fits very well into our plan of continuing to develop our younger players.”
In four seasons with Mora IK, Colliton posted a 98-18-57 record. He led the team to a promotion to the Swedish Hockey League for the 2017-18 season with its success in the 2017 postseason.
“I’m honored to join the Blackhawks organization as they have a proven track record of winning that I’m excited to help continue,” said Colliton. “In Rockford, we will do everything we can to help our young prospects develop into the best players and people they can be.”
Colliton was drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round of the 2003 NHL draft. He appeared in 57 games with the Islanders from 2005-11, but spent most of his career as minor league fodder before retiring to take over coaching duties with Mora IK in 2013-14.