Jeremy Colliton
Jeremy Colliton is a shockingly remarkable story. From being drafted in the second round by the Islanders in 2003 to playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in 2013 to playing out his career in Europe to being an NHL coach at 34 years old.
Forced to retire early due to concussion-related symptoms, he began his coaching career in Europe with Mora IK of the SHL in 2014, learning the ropes. In the process of learning those ropes, Colliton coached his team out of the second tier European league HockeyAllsvenskan and into the premier European league, the SHL.
Then, at the start of 2017/2018, he was named head coach of the Rockford Roadhogs, the Blackhawks AHL affiliate. In his one year coaching in the AHL, he coached his team to 40-28-8 finish, losing in the conference finals of the playoffs.
This guy worked his behind off to get to where he is today, even though the Blackhawks are 21-24-6 under him. I feel like he has a long and successful career ahead of him. One he earned.