CHICAGO – The Chicago Blackhawks have added Mike Vellucci as an assistant coach, who will be part of the coaching staff led by Jeff Blashill. The official announcement was made on Monday, confirming Vellucci’s integration into Blashill’s coaching staff. Alongside him will be Michael Peca and Anders Sorensen, also as assistants. The team is completed by Jimmy Waite as goaltending coach, Matt Meacham as video coach, and Adam Gill as video assistant. Vellucci, 58, arrives after five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Previously, between 2014 and 2019, he served as assistant general manager and director of hockey operations for the Carolina Hurricanes. Furthermore, Vellucci had a prominent role as assistant coach of the United States national team, which was crowned world champion last month. On that American team, Frank Nazar and Alex Vlasic, Blackhawks players, shone.
Blashill, 51, took over as the Blackhawks’ head coach last month, after serving as an assistant to Jon Cooper with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the past three seasons.“Serving as an assistant coach at the world championship this summer and winning a gold medal for our country alongside Frank Nazar and Alex Vlasic will bring very valuable experience to this group. That kind of championship experience only makes our team better and I am excited to get to work.”
Jeff Blashill
