Chicago Blackhawks hire Derek King and Kevin Dean as assistant coaches for Luke Richardson’s staff

Derek King will be sticking around the Chicago Blackhawks after all.

The Hawks hired the former interim head coach as an assistant coach — along with and former Boston Bruins assistant coach Kevin Dean — to first-time bench boss Luke Richardson.

Goaltending coach Jimmy Waite and video coach Matt Meacham also will return to the Hawks staff.

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“It’s great to have this experienced staff with me behind the bench,” Richardson said in a statement. “Derek has made an impact here on this organization and I’m thrilled to have someone like him on our staff. Kevin’s mind for the game and defensive focus will be an asset for us. It’s great to have the cornerstone of this coaching group finalized and we will continue to add a few pieces.”

King, 55, was named interim coach on Nov. 6 after the Hawks fired Jeremy Colliton following a franchise-worst 1-9-2 start. King led the Hawks to a 27-33-10 finish.

He was a finalist for the permanent job before the Hawks hired Richardson late last month. However, general manager Kyle Davidson said he considered keeping King around in some capacity because of his character and positive effect on the organization.

King, a former New York Islanders forward, also was the Rockford IceHogs head coach before taking over the Hawks for Colliton.

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Dean was on staff with the Bruins for playoff runs in five seasons, including reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2019. He’s also a former head coach of the AHL Providence Bruins.

The former defenseman was a fifth-round pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 1987 draft, and went play seven NHL seasons, including part of 1999-00 and all of the 2000-01 season.