Chicago Blackhawks Announce Coaching Staff for the 2025-26 Season

Anders Sorensen - Assistant Coach

Chicago Blackhawks fans are already familiar with former interim head coach Anders Sorensen. Sorensen was the assistant coach for the Rockford IceHogs beginning in 2018 before getting promoted to head coach following Derek King's promotion to interim head coach of the Blackhawks in 2021. Sorensen coached the IceHogs until he was summoned to become the interim head coach of the Hawks in 2024. 

Blashill stated that Sorensen is a good friend of his, which is good for chemistry among the coaching staff. But I wonder how much of Sorensen's staying here was a decision of Blashill or a "reward" from the Blackhawks front office. Either way, Sorensen brings continuity to the staff and a relationship that he's built with the players. 

Michael Peca - Assistant Coach

Hockey fans may remember Michael Peca from the Buffalo Sabres team of the late-90s. Peca captained the team to a Stanley Cup Final in 1999 against the Dallas Stars and won the Selke Trophy twice. Peca was an assistant coach of the Rochester Americans from 2021-23 and an assistant coach for the New York Rangers from 2023-25. Peca will most likely be working with the forwards. 

Peca was known as an excellent defensive forward (hence his two Selkes). Peca may fit well with Blashill's coaching philosophy, as Blashill prioritizes responsible defensive play over risky offensive plays. 

Mike Vellucci - Assistant Coach

Mike Vellucci is a former defenseman who played two games in the NHL (Hartford Whalers in 1987) and spent the majority of his playing career with the IHL/AHL. Vellucci's coaching career began in 1994 as the head coach of the Compuware Ambassadors of the NAHL for six seasons. In 2001, Vellucci was named head coach of the OHL's Plymouth Whalers until 2014. Vellucci coached the Charlotte Checkers from 2017-2019 before coaching the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2019-20. He was an a ssistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2020-2025. 

Looking at his resume, you can see that Vellucci has experience. Vellucci will most likely be working with the defensemen and, in my opinion, seems like an upgrade from Kevin Dean.  Vellucci was also a part of the 2024-25 Team USA coaching staff, which won gold in the 2025 IIHF Men's World Championship, featuring Alex Vlasic and Frank Nazar. 

Jimmy Waite - Goaltending Coach

Jimmy Waite remains on the coaching staff working with goaltenders, as he has done with the Chicago Blackhawks since 2014. Waite is an exceptional goalie coach, and keeping him on the staff is important for Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom's development. 

Matt Meacham and Adam Gill - Video Coaches

The Blackhawks have kept Matt Meacham as an assistant coach, who has worked with the Blackhawks since 2014. Adam Gill was brought on after working with the Rockford IceHogs since 2014. Video coaches are an integral aspect of the coaching staff, and Meacham has been praised for his excellent work.  

What's On Tap Next?

The Blackhawks coaching staff is set, and to be honest, changing the staff this offseason was necessary. It will be interesting to see how tactics change and what direction head coach Jeff Blashill will lead the team.