Canadiens assistant expected to land top job for Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to name Montreal Canadiens assistant Luke Richardson as their new head coach, sources confirmed to the Chicago Tribune.
Richardson, 53, would become the 40th head coach in Blackhawks history and succeed interim coach Derek King.
The Blackhawks confirmed that they interviewed four candidates, including Richardson, King, Vancouver Canucks associate coach Brad Shaw and Pittsburgh Penguins assistant Todd Reirden.
Richardson has more than 25 years of experience in the NHL and was a head coach of the Binghamton Senators, the Ottawa Senators’ American Hockey League affiliate. He was assistant coach with the New York Islanders before joining the Canadiens as an assistant coach in July 2018.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs first-round pick was a defenseman for 21 years, playing 1,417 games with the Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Senators.
King took over as Chicago’s coach Nov. 6 after Jeremy Colliton was fired after a 1-9-2 start. King presided over a 27-33-10 finish.
Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis is among those who vouch for Richardson’s abilities.
“Luke is just a calm and calculated and very confident coach,” St. Louis told the Montreal Gazette. “The calmness of his approach allows the guys to grow and Luke’s approach allows the guys to feel confident on the ice and receptive to constructive criticism because (of) the way he does it. It’s very important they don’t feel suffocated if there’s correction. They don’t feel handcuffed if there’s correction and I think that’s important in their growth.”
Ratings news: The NHL has seen an increase in viewers in the league’s first year of its television contracts with ESPN and TNT. The league is also seeing unparalleled growth in female and younger fans.
According to NHL research, 37% of hockey fans are female, with a 26% growth in that demographic since 2016. Most of those new fans are likely within the coveted 18-49 age demographic, too, since nearly 40% of all NHL fans are under 50.
Kali Mick — an Avalanche fan who lives in Colorado and is part of the league’s Power Players youth advisory board — said the recent growth comes as the league has showcased more of the human side of the game.
“We’re seeing more player interviews, family moments and those heartfelt things that happen off the ice, as well as this mix of the great highlights that we’re also seeing,” she said. “That’s been really great to help get more people in the game because people who don’t know the sport will connect more with the human moments. And then the highlights will keep their attention.”
The increase among female viewers was higher during Wednesday night games on TNT. During the regular season, there was a 44% jump in female viewers compared to previous years, when the games were aired on NBCSN.
“Not only do we want to give our avid fans the content that they love, but how can we share it with casual and new fans and make sure that they feel welcome?” said Heidi Browning, the NHL’s senior executive vice president and top marketing officer.