Ted Dent named head coach of Rockford IceHogs

As expected, the Blackhawks named Ted Dent head coach of the Rockford IceHogs, their American Hockey League affiliate.

The Sun-Times reported on Twitter on July 13 that Dent was the leading candidate for the position after Bill Peters left for an assistant coaching job with the Detroit Red Wings.

Dent is entering his sixth season with the Hawks organization, which includes a year under Hawks assistant Mike Haviland with the Norfolk Admirals, the Hawks’ previous AHL affiliate.

“We are proud to promote Ted to the head coaching position in Rockford, an extremely important role in our hockey operations department,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “During his time with our organization, Ted has proven himself as a great leader and has developed a solid track record in helping players rise to the NHL level. Our hockey operations department is full of talented individuals and we take pride when we are able to promote someone from within, like Ted.”

Dent, who started coaching in the East Coast Hockey League, will be in charge of the development of several key prospects for the Hawks this coming season, including Kyle Beach, Jeremy Morin, Jimmy Hayes, Dylan Olsen and Shawn Lalonde.

“I am excited to continue the development and growth of the young prospects we have in Rockford and at the same time create a positive winning environment,” Dent said.