Colliton Gets Fresh Start With a New Organization

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James
July 3, 2022 (11:22)

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In a situation that was basically doomed from the start, 33-year-old Jeremy Colliton was tasked with leading the Chicago Blackhawks on November 6, 2018 after the firing of Joel Quenneville. In doing so, he became the youngest coach in the NHL.

Colliton had just 88 games of coaching experience with the Rockford IceHogs and took them to the Western Conference Finals in his lone season there. His results in Chicago were decent considering his lack of experience, posting a 87-92-26 record in three full seasons. But after a 1-9-2 start to the 2021-22 season, he was fired and replaced by Derek King.

On January 30, 2022, Colliton assumed head coaching duties of the Canadian men's olympic leam after Claude Julien suffered an injury. He led Team Canada to a 5-1 victory in their first game of the tournament over Germany. Julien returned after game one and reassumed his head coaching duties, while Colliton returned to assistant coach.

Now he's being given a new opportunity in the NHL, as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, who just completed their first season in Abbotsford after relocating from Utica, New York.

"Bringing in Jeremy Colliton to build on the things we have started in Abbotsford is a huge win for the organization. Jeremy has a great head for the game, and I look forward to working with him this coming season," said Abbotsford Canucks General Manger Ryan Johnson in a press release.

Back in the AHL, Colliton will be given the opportunity to help develop the next wave of NHL talent. Hopefully his experience with the Blackhawks will help him. At just 37 years of age, he has plenty of time to return to a NHL bench. Good luck in Abbotsford coach!