CHICAGO — Brock Sheahan will still be a head coach in the Chicago area, just for a different organization.
Sheahan, 38, has been named the head coach for the Chicago Wolves, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. He is the winningest coach in the history of the United States Hockey League's Chicago Steel with a 108-30-12-3 record, which includes the postseason. He has been the Steel's head coach since 2019 and led the junior team to Anderson Cup titles (2019-20, 2020-21) as USHL's top regular season team and to the Clark Cup playoff title in 2021.
"Brock Sheahan brought passion, purpose, joy and professionalism to the rink each day, driving the success of our franchise and elevating the capabilities of our players," Steel owner Larry Robbins said in a news release. "While we are sad to see him depart, we celebrate his ascension to become an AHL head coach and congratulate the Carolina Hurricanes organization on hiring a coach of enormous skill, impeccable character and boundless energy."
Sheahan, a former University of Notre Dame defenseman and assistant coach, was originally hired by the Steel to be an assistant coach in 2018. In his four seasons with the Steel, he coached 26 NHL Draft picks, including four first-round selections, including Owen Power, the No. 1 overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2021.
"I want to thank Larry Robbins and the entire Steel family for the last four years," Sheahan said in the news release. "It has been a privilege to coach the premier junior hockey organization in the world and I am so grateful to have worked with such amazing players and staff. The Steel will always be a special place for me and my family and has had a profoundly positive impact on our lives.
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"Leaving such a special place is not easy, but knowing the strength of character and talent in the staff and management, I am certain that the Steel will have continued success this coming season and beyond."
Chicago won the USHL's Eastern Conference regular season title and finished 39-13-9-1 in 2021-22.
Steel general manager Mike Garman will be the team's head coach and will hold both roles for the 2022-23 season.
"Mike Garman is a brilliant hockey mind and has meaningfully contributed to our style of play that emphasizes possession, skill development and creativity," Robbins said. "His five years with us as bench coach, goalie coach, strategist, general manager, mentor and culture carrier proves an unmatched foundation for Mike to lead this group of very talented young players in their accelerated individual development and their relentless pursuit of a championship."
Garman has been with the Steel since 2017. The former goalie played college hockey for Cornell University and then played three seasons of pro hockey.
"We're thrilled for Brock and his family and can't wait to watch his continued success with the Hurricanes organization," Garman said. "I'm excited to return to coaching and feel so fortunate to have such a great staff in place to make this seamless transition."
Sheahan takes over a Wolves team that won the 2022 Calder Cup as AHL playoff champions.
“We were looking for a good communicator who knows how to win,” Wolves general manager Wendell Young said in a news release from his team. “Having won a championship as a head coach is quite an accomplishment and he knows how to communicate with both players and the staff. He brings all those credentials to the table.”
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Sheahan replaces Ryan Warsofsky, who was the Wolves' head coach for two seasons before being named an assistant coach of the NHL's San Jose Sharks on Aug. 12.
