Blackhawks name Chris O’Hearn as vice-president of hockey operations

Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks have appointed Chris O’Hearn as vice-president of hockey operations, reports Michael Russo of The Athletic.

With the Blackhawks, O’Hearn joins a hockey operations department headed by general manager Kyle Davidson, currently in his 14th year with the organization including four seasons in the GM’s chair.

O’Hearn, 43, last served with the Minnesota Wild for a five-year period, beginning as director of hockey operations and later promoted to assistant general manager for a three-year run. In December 2023, O’Hearn and the Wild mutually parted ways.

O’Hearn originally joined the Wild under former general manager Chuck Fletcher and later remained with the hockey operations department under current GM Bill Guerin. With the Wild, O’Hearn was primarily responsible for contract negotiations and collective bargaining agreement matters.

Prior to joining the Wild, O’Hearn spent six seasons with the former Arizona Coyotes, including a three-year tenure as assistant general manager under longtime hockey executive Don Maloney and later under former GM John Chayka.

O’Hearn is the son of former front office executive Mike O’Hearn who served as assistant general manager of the original Winnipeg Jets from 1994-96.

In joining the Blackhawks, O’Hearn joins an organization in the midst of a rebuild, headlined by 2023 first-overall selection Connor Bedard. Now with part of two seasons and 114 appearances in the Windy City, Bedard has registered 102 career points, underscored by his Calder Trophy win in 2023-24 as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year after he approached point-per-game production with 22 goals and 39 assists in 68 outings.

On the season, the Blackhawks sit at the bottom of the NHL standings with a 15-28-3 record and 33 points. Ahead of the March 7 NHL trade deadline, O’Hearn and the Blackhawks could be one of the busiest clubs as several pending unrestricted free agents including forwards Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato, both listed on Daily Faceoff’s Trade Targets board, could be among many names on the move.