Anders Sörensen (born 11 May 1975) is a Swedish professional ice hockey assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously coached the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. Sörensen was the Blackhawks' interim head coach during the 2024–25 NHL season. He is the first Swedish-born head coach in NHL history.
Playing career Sörensen played for Södertälje SK as a defenceman from 1992–1995. He also played for clubs in France and Norway. Sörensen traveled to North America to play for the Mobile Mysticks and Baton Rouge Kingfish of the ECHL during the 1999–2000 season. He tallied three goals and one assist in 37 games. He retired from playing in 2000 and went into coaching.
Coaching career Sörensen coached various youth hockey programs throughout the early 2000s in the Chicago area. In 2006, he began coaching for the Chicago Mission of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, where he helped develop future NHLers Ryan Hartman, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Nick Schmaltz.
Sörensen returned to his hometown of Södertälje to become an assistant coach for Södertälje SK of HockeyAllsvenskan in 2011. He was named as the team's interim head coach in October 2013.
He joined the Chicago Blackhawks organization in 2013 as a development coach. Sörensen transitioned to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL in 2018, serving as an assistant coach and later as an associate coach. In 2021, he took over as the interim head coach of the IceHogs. Sörensen maintained a 117–89–16–7 record in 229 games through his first three seasons as head coach and reached the playoffs in each of these seasons.
On 5 December 2024, the Blackhawks appointed Sörensen their interim head coach after firing Luke Richardson, making Sörenson the first Swedish-born head coach in NHL history. He made his NHL debut on 7 December, in a 4–2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Sörensen concluded his first season in the NHL with a 17–30–9 record as the Blackhawks finished last the Central division and with the second-worst record in the league. In May 2025, the Blackhawks hired Jeff Blashill as their head coach. The team retained Sörensen as an assistant coach under Blashill.
Personal life Sörensen is married and has four children. He is close friends with fellow Swede Michael Nylander. Sörensen was the personal coach of Michael's sons, William and Alexander Nylander.
Career statistics Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1993–94 Södertälje SK SWE.2 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1994–95 Södertälje SK J20 26 0 9 9 28 — — — — — 1995–96 Södertälje SK J20 27 5 12 17 20 — — — — — 1995–96 Södertälje SK SWE.2 10 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1996–97 Ducs d'Angers FRA 25 2 13 15 28 — — — — — 1997–98 Sparta Sarpsborg NOR 43 7 20 27 20 — — — — — 1998–99 Fort Worth Fire CHL 17 3 6 9 4 — — — — — 1998–99 Tupelo T-Rex WPHL 8 0 1 1 8 — — — — — 1999–00 Mobile Mysticks ECHL 29 2 1 3 8 — — — — — 1999–00 Baton Rouge Kingfish ECHL 8 1 0 1 6 2 0 0 0 0 FRA totals 25 2 13 15 28 — — — — — NOR totals 43 7 20 27 20 — — — — —
Head coaching record
HockeyAllsvenskan Team Year Regular season Postseason G W OTW OTL L Pts Finish W L Win% Result SSK 2013–14 20 5 2 1 12 (20) (interim) — — — —Total 20 5 2 1 12 — — —
AHL Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L OTL SOL Pts Finish W L Win % Result RFD 2021–22 66 35 26 4 1 (75) 4th in Central 2 3 .400 Lost in division semifinals (CHI) RFD 2022–23 72 35 28 5 4 79 5th in Central 2 3 .400 Lost in division semifinals (TEX) RFD 2023–24 72 39 26 5 2 85 3rd in Central 1 3 .250 Lost in division semifinals (GR) RFD 2024–25 19 8 9 2 0 (18) (promoted) — — — —Total 229 117 89 16 7 5 9 .357 3 playoff appearances
NHL
Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L OTL Pts Finish W L Win % Result CHI 2024–25 56 17 30 9 (43) 8th in Central — — — Missed playoffsTotal 56 17 30 9 — — —
References
External links
Rockford IceHogs profile