Hog Blog RED ALERT: Richardson OUT, Sorensen named Hawks Interim HC

Luke Richardson has been fired by the Blackhawks, Anders Sorensen to fill in as interim HC.

(C/ Sabau)

By Jack Masters, IceHogs Analyst, @hogthought on X

ROCKFORD—After weeks of speculation, rumors and chatter, it happened. Kyle Davidson woke up on Dec. 5th feeling frisky and fired his HC, Luke Richardson. Anders Sorensen has been named interim Head Coach, and per Elliote Friedman, will finish out the season with the Hawks before they conduct a hiring process. Mark Eaton, Blackhawks Assistant GM, will take over as Interim HC in Rockford.

For some of us in Rockford, you're disappointed. Sorensen lead the Hogs to playoff trips in all 3 of his seasons in Rockford, although they only won series in 2 of those seaons via the 3-game wild card series wins. Others are happy and point to his somewhat disappointing results with rosters that, on paper, should have made deep playoff runs.

Myself, I am in both camps. 3 straight playoff trips in a development league is the goal. But, much like the start to this season, the Hogs have under-performed at times under Anders. TWO seperate 7+ game losing streaks last season as well as an 8-9-2 start to this season should give you a good idea of what I'm talking about.

(C/Repplinger/ IceHogs)

For the Blackhawks, it was clearly time to move on from Richardson. Taylor Hall calling him out, players talking about a lack of confidence in the locker room. Connor Bedard struggling. The free agent additions not gelling well. It has all compounded to this point. Sorensen is truly just a place-holder (barring anything wild happening) so we will see what happens. But in short, I've got my doubts about him being the guy that provides the Hawks a spark, not that that is the goal here.

In the mean time, we will see how the Blackhawks respond to the change, I'll be at the United Center Saturday when the Hawks take on the Winnipeg Jets (bought the tickets randomly, did not expect this). Mark Eaton in the meantime is tasked with taking over a loaded, albeit young, Icehogs roster that currently sits at 8-9-2 and in fourth place in the AHL's central division.