Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/9638ec4d-ce3c-45b0-b664-39419e86cd2e.jpeg] During the golden era of Chicago Blackhawks hockey from 2009 to 2017, they were one of the best teams in the NHL. They had a handful of trips to the Western Conference Finals and won the Stanley Cup three times. Head coach Joel Quenneville led the way on the ice during those runs. He was a master at getting the most out of a group committed to team defense. After being let go during the 2018-19 season, Quenneville took a job as the bench boss of the Florida Panthers ahead of the following season. His time in Sunrise came to an unexpected end due to off-ice reasons. Quenneville resigned due to his role in the Bradley Aldrich sexual assault scandal against former player Kyle Beach. The NHL cleared Quenneville to return to the NHL in July of 2024. Former Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman was cleared to return to the NHL at the same time as Quenneville but it didn’t take him as long to find work. He became the GM of the Edmonton Oilers quickly thereafter. The Anaheim Ducks conducted a massive search of Quenneville during the hiring process. They found that he was doing the proper things to work in hockey again. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek feels that his findings from the background check on Joel Quenneville suggest that he has learned from his mistakes and is ready for a second chance. TSN’s Darren Dreger and ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported on his background check and the Ducks speaking to Kyle Beach before making this decision, ahead of the Ducks making it official. Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) on X [https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1674105538840231936/TAQJiIVw_200x200.jpg] Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) on X Announcement coming shortly. Sources say the Ducks did an extensive background check specific to the Kyle Beach case, including the work Quenneville has done to reform from mistakes made during that time. He was the first candidate Anaheim spoke with after firing Cronin. [https://x.com/darrendreger/status/1920486353214529675?s=46&t=NDF-ZZp7Wd4XL6YBtj83Og] Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) on X [https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1844100263474253824/_8IzrMXR_200x200.jpg] Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) on X The Ducks are hiring Joel Quenneville as head coach, as @DarrenDreger first reported. David Carle had a two day interview before extending with DU. Jay Woodcroft & Rick Tocchet were other final candidates. Anaheim did an extensive search into Quenneville’s role in Blackhawks [https://x.com/emilymkaplan/status/1920497574710018241?s=46&t=NDF-ZZp7Wd4XL6YBtj83Og] Kaplan also mentioned that other head coaching candidates, including Jay Woodcroft and David Carle, were in consideration. After weeks of rumors, their decision to go with Quenneville became official on Thursday. On the ice, Quenneville’s teams have had great success, which is what makes him appealing to the Ducks. After making a large (21-point) improvement in 2024-25, they feel that this is a necessary step toward becoming a playoff team once again. He enters this job as the NHL’s second-place leader in all-time wins. He only trails Scotty Bowman for the top spot, whom he will attempt to eclipse in the coming years with this young Ducks team looking to advance their development. Can he get the most out of young stars like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, and Trevor Zegras, as he did with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith? Only time will tell. Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/] team site to stay updated on the latest news [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-newshttps://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news], game-day [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/game-dayhttps://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/game-day] coverage, player features [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/playershttps://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/players], and more.
