The Hershey Bears announced they have hired Derek King as the team's new head coach, the 29th in franchise history.
King spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks, he also served as interim head coach in the 2021-22 season.
Prior to his time with the Blackhawks he was the head coach of the AHL's Rockford IceHogs from Nov. 6 2018 until Nov. 6 2021. He was an assistant with Rockford from the 2016-17 season until his promotion in 2018.
The 58-year old also spent time as an assistant coach with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack (2015-16), an assistant and associate coach with the Toronto Marlies (2009-15), and as a player-coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins (2002-04).
In a 14-year NHL playing career King recorded 261 goals and 612 points in 830 games with the New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Blues. He added 111 points in 171 career AHL games with the Griffins and Springfield Indians and led the IHL in scoring with 83 points in 76 games in 2000-01.
The remainder of the Bears' coaching staff will remain.
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