Jeremy Colliton's journey in professional hockey began when he was drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round, 58th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. A native of Blackie, Alberta, Colliton honed his skills in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Prince Albert Raiders, where he played from 2001 to 2005. His performance in the WHL showcased his potential as a center, leading to his transition to the professional leagues.
Colliton made his NHL debut with the Islanders during the 2005-2006 season. Over the next few years, he split his time between the Islanders and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. His tenure with the Islanders saw him play a total of 57 NHL games, where he contributed three goals and three assists. While his time in the NHL was limited, he was a consistent presence in the AHL, where he played over 300 games with the Sound Tigers, serving as a reliable player and even taking on leadership roles.
In 2009, Colliton took his career overseas, signing with Rögle BK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). His stint in Sweden was marked by his solid two-way play and leadership qualities, which earned him respect in the European hockey community. After a season with Rögle BK, he returned to North America and rejoined the Islanders organization, continuing to play primarily with the Sound Tigers.
Colliton's playing career faced challenges due to injuries, particularly concussions, which ultimately led to his retirement from professional hockey in 2013. However, his involvement in the sport did not end there. Transitioning into coaching, he began his coaching career with Mora IK in Sweden, where he served as head coach from 2014 to 2017. Under his guidance, Mora IK achieved promotion to the SHL, highlighting his ability to lead and develop a team.
In 2017, Colliton returned to North America to take on the role of head coach for the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. His coaching style and approach to player development caught the attention of the Blackhawks organization. In November 2018, following the dismissal of Joel Quenneville, Colliton was named the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming the youngest head coach in the NHL at the time.
Colliton's tenure with the Blackhawks was a period of transition for the team, as they sought to integrate younger players into their lineup while maintaining competitiveness. He led the team to the playoffs in the 2019-2020 season, where they advanced past the Edmonton Oilers in the qualifying round before being eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite facing challenges, including roster changes and the pressures of coaching in a major hockey market, Colliton remained at the helm until his departure in November 2021.
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