The Hershey Bears have announced that Derek King has been named the 29th head coach in the franchise history. The announcement was made by Hershey Bears Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Helmer and Washington Capitals Senior Vice President and General Manager Chris Patrick.
“We are very happy to welcome Derek King as our new head coach,” Helmer said. “In his accomplished coaching career, Derek has developed a reputation as a great communicator who excels in developing hockey players and getting the best out of them. It is crucial for us to have a head coach who is an excellent teacher for his players and staff while promoting a winning culture.
King, 58, brings a wealth of coaching experience in both the American Hockey League (AHL) and National Hockey League (NHL) to Hershey. The resident of Hamilton, Ontario, joins the Bears after the last four seasons with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, where he coached the will of Connor Bedard, Marc-Andre Fleury, Taylor Hall, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Tools and current captains ahead of Dylan Strome. He was an assistant coach for the Blackhawks from 2022-25.
He previously served as an interim head coach of the Blackhawks in 2021-22. When he joined the Blackhawks on November 6, 2021, Chicago was only 1-9-2 and led the club to a profit repair of four games to start his NHL head coaching. The Blackhawks scored more goals per match under King and .43 were fewer goals per match with King at the helm.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to the head coach of the Hershey Bears“Said King.” Knowing what Hershey is about within the American Hockey League, I am ecstatic – I compare it to getting a job with an original six team in the NHL. My family and I are enthusiastic, and I can’t wait to go there and go to work, and hopefully being part of the continuing of the club’s legendary legacy. “
Before he was elevated to the NHL, King spent parts of seven seasons with the AHL branch of Blackhawks, the Rockford Icehogs. He was an assistant coach of 2016-18 and helped the team in 2018 to a Western Conference Finals appearance. He was promoted to interim head coach on November 6, 2018 and took over as the permanent head coach of the club prior to the 2019-2020 season. With Rockford he coached countless players with ties with Hershey, including Cody Franson, Dmitry Osipov, Garrett Mitchell and Cameron Schilling.
King collaborated with the Toronto Marlies as an assistant coach of 2009-14 and as an associated coach in 2014-15. He helped the Marlies to a Calder Cup Finals performance in 2012, and Toronto won 40 or more matches in each of his last four seasons with the club.
King received his coaching start as a player coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL of 2002-04. There he worked with former Hershey head coach Todd Nelson, who was an assistant coach at the Griffins in 2002-03.
“Derek brings a wealth of coaching experience and a deep understanding of the game for Hershey,” said Patrick. “During his 18-year coaching career, Derek excels in developing players on both the AHL and NHL levels. We believe that he has the necessary experience, knowledge and passion to lead Hershey and help our young players while preparing for the transition to the NHL.”
King also enjoyed an accomplished play career of 14 seasons in the NHL of 1986-00. King prepared 13th General by the New York Islanders in 1985, King played 830 NHL matches and scored 612 points (261G, 351a). He was a triple scorer of 30 goals, including a season of 40 goals. In addition to the islanders, he also played for the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues. He was a teammate at Hershey Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Helmer while he was with the blues during the 1999-00 season.
King ended his professional career by spending parts of four seasons with Grand Rapids and scoring 203 points (73g, 130a) in 264 games, while it was a distinction to be the leading play-off scorer of the Griffins with 41 points (16g, 25a) in 46 races in the office mine.
The rest of the Hershey coaching staff remains intact, because King is accompanied by assistant -coaches Patrick Wellar and Nick Bootland, associated goal -wise coach Juha Lehtola, Video -Adam Purner and Power and Conditioning Coach Kurtis Freter.
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