Joel Quenneville, reinstated by the NHL on July 1, spoke candidly for the first time since his suspension was lifted. Quenneville resigned from his post as head coach of the Florida Panthers 2 1/2 years ago amidst controversy related to his handling of sexual assault allegations against former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2010 playoffs.
“I’m thankful to the league,” Quenneville said during Hartford’s Whalers Weekend at Dunkin Park. “I’ve been away from the game for three years. I’d like to get back and look forward to it.”
Quenneville’s tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks was successful, including three Stanley Cup victories in 2010, 2013, and 2015. However, his legacy was marred by inaction concerning Kyle Beach’s assault allegations against Aldrich. Quenneville resigned in October 2021 after a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
NHL franchises are free to hire Quenneville, although no coaching positions are available. “Every organization is at a different stage of its learning curve and readiness to win,” Quenneville noted. I don’t know how much time is left in my coaching lifetime, but it would be fun to do it again because we had so much fun doing it.”
Quenneville, now 65, has returned to Connecticut, where he once played for the Hartford Whalers. He remains hopeful for another opportunity to prove what he has learned and build a safe and thriving team environment.
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-JB-
