The Hershey Bears announced the hiring of Derek King as the 29th head coach in the franchise’s history. The news comes nearly two months after former head coach Todd Nelson left to be an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“We are thrilled to welcome Derek King as our new head coach,” said Hershey Bears vice president of operations Bryan Helmer in a PR statement. “Derek has developed a reputation as a great communicator who excels at developing hockey players and getting the best out of them.”
King, 58, is a native of Hamilton, Ontario, and was previously the Chicago Blackhawks’ assistant coach from 2021-25. During his tenure, the Blackhawks scored .59 more goals per game and allowed .43 less goals per game.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to be named the head coach of the Hershey Bears,” King said in the PR statement. “Knowing what Hershey is about within the American Hockey League, I’m ecstatic -I equate it to getting a job with an Original Six team in the NHL. My family and I are excited, and I can’t wait to get to work, and hopefully be a part of continuing the club’s storied legacy.”
Derek King’s Coaching History
Before coaching the Blackhawks, King spent parts of seven seasons with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. He was an assistant coach from 2016-18, and helped the team to a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2018. He was promoted to interim head coach the following November, and took over as permanent head coach in 2019-20.
King also worked with the Toronto Marlies as an assistant coach from 2009-14, and an associate coach in 2014-15. During his tenure, the Marlies reached the Calder Cup Finals in 2012. Toronto won 40 or more games in each of his final four seasons with the club.
King began his coaching career as a player-coach with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins from 2002-04. There, he worked with former Hershey head coach Todd Nelson, who was an assistant coach with the Griffins in 2002-03.
Derek King’s Playing History
Prior to coaching, King spent 14 seasons in the NHL, playing from 1986-2000. He was drafted 13th overall by the New York Islanders in 1985. King played 830 NHL games and scored 612 points (261g, 351a). In addition to the Islanders, he also played for the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Blues.
King finished his professional career with Grand Rapids for four seasons. In the process, he scored 203 points (73g, 130a) in 264 games. He became the Griffins’ all-time leading playoff scorer with 41 points (16g, 25a) in 46 games.
