Jared Nightingale Named Rockford IceHogs Head Coach

While all the attention this offseason has been on the Chicago Blackhawks’ head coaching search, the Rockford IceHogs also needed a new bench boss. When Anders Sorensen was promoted to the Blackhawks in December, Mark Eaton was given the interim head coach position with the IceHogs. Today, the Blackhawks named Jared Nightingale as the new head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate.

Nightingale was the head coach of the ECHL’s Carolina Stingrays last season, leading them to a 52-15-5 record. He set new team records in wins and points, and won the Coach of the Year award. Before taking the Stingrays’ job, he spent three seasons as an assistant coach in Rockford under Derek King and Sorensen.

“Jared did a phenomenal job with South Carolina this past season in his first campaign as a head coach,” General Manager Kyle Davidson said in an official statement. “A natural leader, Jared’s confidence and direction behind the bench has produced a coaching style that is perfectly suited to help develop and advance our young prospects in Rockford. His familiarity with the organization and our players is an incomparable asset, and we’re excited to see Jared succeed in this role moving forward.”

Nightingale has a long history in Rockford. The blueliner served as team captain during the 2013-14 season and played 678 professional games as a defenseman in the AHL and ECHL. Assistant coaches Rob Klinkhammer and Josh MacNevin will retain their roles with the IceHogs.

A team source confirmed that Eaton will return to his front office role with the Blackhawks as Assistant General Manager, Player Development. He did a commendable job in his first-ever coaching stint and had the IceHogs playing their best hockey of the season when it mattered most.