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NCAA Hockey: Frozen Four Denver Pioneers forward Connor Caponi (22) dumps blue Powerade on head coach David Carle after defeating the Boston College Eagles for the national championship at the 2024 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Chicago Blackhawks rejected by top coaching candidate after ‘aggressive pursuit’: Report

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Apr 26, 2025 1:10 PM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks‘ coaching search is not going well for general manager Kyle Davidson. The Blackhawks are looking to replace Luke Richardson after he was fired in December following a 57-118-5 record in his three seasons in Chicago.

The Blackhawks promoted Anders Sorensen to interim head coach. He was the head coach of the Rockford IceHogs before earning the promotion and is a candidate for the full-time position. Sorensen went 117-89-16 during his four seasons with the IceHogs.

The Blackhawks need a coach who can improve a young roster that finished with the league’s second-worst record (25-46-11). Chicago needs a coach and a roster that can further develop Connor Bedard, the team’s No. 1 pick in 2023.

The Chicago Blackhawks lost out on a coach

Per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Blackhawks aggressively tried to pursue David Carle, but Carle rejected the opportunity.

“Hearing that David Carle has withdrawn from consideration for the Chicago Blackhawks coaching job,” posted Friedman on X. “The Blackhawks definitely made an aggressive pursuit.”

Hearing that David Carle has withdrawn from consideration for the Chicago Blackhawks coaching job.

The Blackhawks definitely made an aggressive pursuit

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 26, 2025

At 35, Carle has been the head coach of the University of Denver since 2018. He won the national championship in 2022 and 2024.

Carle has a 179-74-17 record during his seven-year stint with the Pioneers. He was considered one of the hottest coaching names for the NHL in this hiring cycle.

Via The Athletic:

“Carle is the hottest name on the coaching circuit. Between his success at the college level with Denver and internationally at the World Junior Championship with Team USA, the 35-year-old Carle has created a lot of hype around his potential in the NHL,” wrote Scott Powers and Shayna Goldman.

“The thought is that Carle could be the ideal coach for an up-and-coming team such as the Blackhawks, as he could potentially marry development and winning.”

Frankly, the Blackhawks’ inability to keep the interest of a college coach should be a wake-up call for Davidson and the front office. Chicago needs to take a serious look at how it’s running the team this offseason, as Bedard has yet to sign an extension with the team.

NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) skates in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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