BREAKING NEWS: Chicago Blackhawks announced on Monday that Vellucci had been hired as an assistant coach on new head c….see more

 The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Monday that Mike Vellucci has been appointed as an assistant coach on Jeff Blashill’s coaching staff. This addition completes the team’s coaching lineup for the upcoming 2025–26 NHL season.

Vellucci, 58, brings a wealth of experience to the Blackhawks. He spent the previous five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, serving as an assistant coach. Prior to that, he was the head coach and general manager of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Penguins’ AHL affiliate. Before his tenure in Pittsburgh, Vellucci was the head coach of the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League, leading them to a Calder Cup championship in 2019. He also served as the assistant general manager and director of player development for the Carolina Hurricanes from 2014 to 2019.

Vellucci joins Michael Peca and Anders Sörensen as assistant coaches under head coach Jeff Blashill. The full coaching staff also includes goaltending coach Jimmy Waite, video coach Matt Meacham, and assistant video coach Adam Gill.

With his extensive coaching background and success at various levels, Vellucci is expected to contribute significantly