Blackhawks name Kevin Dineen assistant coach

Kevin Dineen is returning to the NHL as an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team announced Monday.

The former Florida Panthers coach replaces Jamie Kompon on Joel Quenneville's staff. Kompon left the Blackhawks to become general manager and coach of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.

Dineen and Quenneville were teammates on the Hartford Whalers from 1984-90.

"Kevin brings proven leadership qualities, having served as an alternate captain and captain for several of his teams during his 19-year NHL career," Blackhawks vice president and general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement. "He will bring another well-respected voice to our coaching staff and we look forward to his contributions to our team."

Dineen coached the Canada women's national team to a gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and most recently coached the Canada men's under-18 national team to a bronze medal at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship in April.

He coached the Panthers for two-plus seasons before being fired on Nov. 8, 2013. Under Dineen, the Panthers won the Southeast Division title in 2011-12 and went 56-62-28 in 146 games. Dineen coached the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League from 2005-11. He was the AHL coach of the year in 2005-06.

"I am thrilled to join Joel Quenneville, a future Hall of Fame coach, and Mike Kitchen, as we strive to reach the ultimate goal in professional hockey," Dineen said. "After spending time speaking with [president and CEO] John McDonough, Stan Bowman and [vice president of hockey operations] Al MacIsaac it is easy to understand why the Chicago Blackhawks are considered one of the top franchises in all of professional sports. Starting with [chairman] Rocky Wirtz and continuing through the rest of the organization, the measure of success is very high in Chicago. I look forward to supporting the coaching staff and working with some of the best players in the National Hockey League."

Dineen played 19 seasons in the NHL and had 760 points in 1,188 games with Hartford, the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets from 1984-2003. He had 41 points in 59 Stanley Cup Playoff games.