CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks officially introduced its new head coach Jeff Blashill

Jeff Blashill will now take over the reins as the 42nd head coach in Blackhawks history.

Speaking Tuesday morning, the 51-year-old Michigan native knows he has a lot to prove.

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The team introduced him at a press conference this morning at the United Center.

He had a less-than-stellar seven-year tenure as the Detroit Red Wings’ head coach from 2015 to 2022, and then he served as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning over the following three seasons.

Chicago’s General Manager Kyle Davidson praised Blashill’s ability to develop young players.

Despite the Chicago Blackhawks being a relatively young team within the competitive Central Division, Coach Blashill expresses that leading this team is precisely the opportunity he desired.

“I believe we have an assortment of outstanding young talent within our ranks, including players poised to begin the season in Chicago and others ready to make their mark from Rockford,” Blashill remarked. “We have the chance to build depth in every position and, impressively, potential superstars at each spot, which is exceptionally rare in this league.”

He says his job now is to help mold and develop those young players to hopefully a successful season.

As for what the rest of the Hawks staff will look like, Blashill says they’re close to finalizing it. They’ve decided on two assistants so far.