Colliton not afraid to crack a smile
New Chicago Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton showed Wednesday that he's not afraid to inject a bit of humor during his news conferences with reporters.
Asked how Brandon Saad was faring after taking a puck to the face and being rushed off the ice during practice at MB Ice Arena, a grinning Colliton deadpanned: "He was going to the net, which is good. Caught a puck in the face - puck went in the net - so that's a positive."
Then, in all seriousness, Colliton added: "He had to go to the dentist. They're checking him out. But I'm not sure where we go from that. Hopefully no issue."
Later, Colliton was asked how his wife was feeling after delivering their third child.
"I think she feels better now that she's given birth," he said, once again smiling.
Game 1:
Including playoffs, Jeremy Colliton has more than 300 games under his belt as a coach.
But Thursday will be a different animal altogether as he makes his NHL debut at the United Center when the Blackhawks host the Carolina Hurricanes.
"No butterflies yet," he said. "But I'm sure it's going to be special. Great arena and fans and special to be here to help the Hawks win. So I'm excited for the opportunity.
"Tomorrow, yeah, I'll probably have a little nerves. But the good kind."
Slap shots:
Dominik Kahun was demoted to the third line in Joel Quenneville's final game as coach, but the rookie was back on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat at practice Wednesday. The other lines were: Nick Schmaltz-Artem Anisimov-Patrick Kane; Brandon Saad-David Kampf-Alexandre Fortin; Andreas Martinsen-Marcus Kruger-Chris Kunitz. …
The Blackhawks will honor 50 Vietnam veterans during the national anthem Thursday. Players will wear one-of-a-kind camouflage jerseys during warmups that will later go up for auction. All proceeds will benefit USO of Illinois. …
The Hawks will unveil their 2019 Winter Classic jersey at 3 p.m. Thursday in the United Center atrium. The first 1,500 fans to enter will receive a commemorative rally towel. The Hawks play the Bruins in the Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on Jan. 1.
He said it:
"I remember growing up watching him on the bench in St. Louis and Colorado. Some days I still kind of thought it was kind of crazy that I was playing for him. It was definitely a special time, just over 10 years. I can't be more thankful what I've gone through playing for him and winning championships. You can't ask for a better guy, a better coach."
- Jonathan Toews on Joel Quenneville
Scouting report
Blackhawks vs. Carolina Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m. Thursday at United Center
TV: NBCSCH • Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: Carolina was 4-0-1 after five games but has gone 2-7-1 since, scoring just 17 goals in those 10 games. The Hurricanes are carrying three goalies - Petr Mrzaek (.880 save percentage in eight games), Curtis McElhinney (.884 in five games) and former Hawk Scott Darling (.893 in two games). … Sebastian Aho (4G, 13A), Michael Ferland (7G, 4A) and ex-Hawk Teuvo Teravainen (3G, 8A) are the leading scorers.
Next: Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center, noon Saturday
- John Dietz