The Chicago Blackhawks have informed associate coach Marc Crawford and assistant coach Rob Cookson that they won’t be returning to the team next season. The Blackhawks released the following statement announcing the news:
The Chicago Blackhawks can confirm that Associate Coach Marc Crawford and Assistant Coach Rob Cookson were informed that they will not be returning to the organization next season. They have each made significant contributions to our club and we appreciate their dedication. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.
Crawford, a long-time former head coach at the NHL level, joined Chicago prior to the 2019-20 campaign after briefly serving as the interim head coach of the Ottawa Senators. He was promoted from assistant to associate coach on November 17th, 2021, when the Blackhawks fired head coach Jeremy Colliton along with two assistants. Crawford has been active as a coach since 1988 and could look to join his seventh NHL team this offseason.
Cookson worked with Crawford in Ottawa, and he was hired mid-season to replace Crawford as an assistant when Crawford was promoted. He had spent the previous two seasons working as an assistant coach with HC Lugano in the Swiss National League. Cookson has extensive experience working as a video and assistant coach in the NHL, spending nine seasons with Calgary from 2001-2011.
Chicago did not announce replacements for either Crawford or Cookson.
Mrs. O’Leary’s cow spotted in the vicinity of the U.C. – all trucks need to be ready on a moment’s notice. They may be trying to burn it to the ground again…