The Chicago Blackhawks announced Tuesday that they have hired Mark Osiecki as an assistant coach with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League, joining head coach Ted Dent.
“We’re thrilled to add Mark Osiecki to our coaching staff in Rockford,” said Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard. “Mark’s extensive experience with player development at the collegiate, junior and international level will serve as a great asset as we continue to build the future of the Chicago Blackhawks organization.”
Osiecki, 44, most recently served as head coach at Ohio State University from 2010-13, where he posted a 46-50-16 record during his career with the Buckeyes. Prior to joining OSU, Osiecki spent six seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin (2004-10) and seven seasons as head coach and general manager of the United States Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers (1997-2004).
The Burnsville, Minn., native has also held various coaching titles with USA Hockey, including with the 2010, 2011 and 2013 World Junior Championship squads. Osiecki earned two goal medals (2010 and 2013) and one bronze medal (2011) during his coaching tenure at the World Junior Championships.
During his playing career, Osiecki appeared in 93 career National Hockey League games with Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Minnesota over his five professional seasons. He also skated in four games with the AHL’s New Haven Senators during the 1992-93 season. Osiecki represented the United States at the 1992 World Championships.
Osiecki will join the IceHogs’ bench for the 2013-14 campaign after the Blackhawks decided not to renew the contracts of IceHogs assistant coaches Steve Poapst and Ben Simon.
