Blackhawks assistant Kompon leaves for WHL

Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Jamie Kompon is leaving the team to become coach and general manager of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.

"It's always been my goal to become a head coach, and joining the Winterhawks as both general manager and head coach is a great opportunity,” Kompon told the Winterhawks website Wednesday. "The Winterhawks have become one of the premier organizations in junior hockey and I look forward to continuing the winning tradition that has been built here."

Kompon was an assistant with the Blackhawks for two seasons, joining them after winning the Stanley Cup as an assistant with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012.

"The entire Blackhawks organization would like to wish Jamie well with the Winterhawks and all of his future endeavors," Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement Wednesday. "We thank him for his work during his time in Chicago, including being a part of our 2013 Stanley Cup championship."

Kompon spent nine years (1997-2006) with the St. Louis Blues as a video coach and an assistant coach.

Mike Johnston left Portland to become coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.