The Chicago Blackhawks did not exactly keep the move a secret, but when they hired Jimmy Waite in early July to serve as their goalie coach, it wasn't front-page news.
That's because the Blackhawks were just days away from inking superstars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to long-term contracts that are expected to keep them with the team through the 2022-23 season.
However, signing Waite could have a huge impact on the team's fortunes in 2014-15. Waite's brother, Stephane, had been the Blackhawks' goalie coach for 10 seasons, but he left shortly after the team won the 2013 Stanley Cup to take a similar position with the Montreal Canadiens.
The Blackhawks brought in Steve Weeks to fill Stephane Waite's position, but his style did not mesh well with the team's. Head coach Joel Quenneville fired him shortly after the team was eliminated from the playoffs by the Los Angeles Kings.
Jimmy Waite played in 58 games for the Blackhawks and was primarily a career backup. He also played for the San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes.
Waite had been the goalie coach for Chicoutimi of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Silverman
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