According to Craig Morgan of AZ Sports, the Chicago Blackhawks are set to name Ulf Samuelsson as their new assistant coach. The Hawks had been rumored to be after Samuelsson for a few weeks to replace the fired Mike Kitchen. Kitchen had been let go earlier this spring after the Hawks were swept out of the first round, causing many conflicting reports about whether or not Joel Quenneville had been part of the decisions. The head coach and Kitchen are long-time friends who go back to their playing days in the earlier 80s.
Samuelsson on the other hand has been coaching the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL recently, taking the team to a 39-29-8 record this season. It was his first head coaching gig, but he has nearly a decade worth of experience behind an NHL bench, first for the Coyotes and most recently with the New York Rangers. His 1,080 games as a mean-spirited defenseman give him even more insight into the game, and a fiery reputation. Samuelsson recorded 2,453 penalty minutes in his NHL career, and at one point was among the most feared players in the game.
Morgan has also heard that the team is attempting to bring Don Granato aboard in “some capacity.” Granato is currently working at the University of Wisconsin as an assistant coach with his brother, Tony and has previously been a head coach with the US Development Program and two teams in the AHL. His development of young players has been praised many times, perhaps leading to a similar role with the Blackhawks in the future.
Ulf played with Quennville too, in Harford. He joins Kevin Dineen as another Whalers great behind the Chicago bench.
Yup. Solid signing.