With just a few weeks until training camp begins, the Chicago Blackhawks were faced with the prospect of losing one of their assistant coaches to another job, but those fears can be put to rest as Kevin Dineen will remain on the team’s bench next season.
Dineen, who joined the Blackhawks’ staff in 2014, was one of the candidates in the running to become the new head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. Despite interviewing with the team, Dineen will be staying in Chicago, as Lake Erie Monsters head coach Jared Bedner will take over as head coach of the Avalanche.
The Monsters won the AHL’s Calder Cup this season, bringing a professional title to the Columbus Blue Jackets’ organization and giving Bedner a huge boost in profile ahead of the upcoming season.
When Patrick Roy suddenly resigned as coach of the Avalanche earlier this summer, Colorado was forced to scramble for a new coach, and the team agreed to terms with Bedner on Thursday afternoon.
The Blackhawks wouldn’t have received any compensation if Dineen had left, as the NHL abolished draft pick compensation for coaches that switch teams while under contract with another club.
Dineen will remain on staff with Mike Kitchen as an assistant coach to Joel Quenneville, who will be entering his eighth season as head coach of the Hawks.
