The Anaheim Ducks have appointed Joel Quenneville as the team’s 12th coach, just under a year after receiving clearance from the NHL in the wake of the Chicago Blackhawks scandal. Quenneville, together with then-general manager Stan Bowman and then-executive Al MacIsaac, were given the green light to return in July. Following an investigation by an external law firm that found several Blackhawks team leaders failed to promptly address allegations of a 2010 sexual assault by an assistant coach on a player, Quenneville and his colleagues stepped down from their positions in October 2021. The player involved, later revealed to be Kyle Beach, and the coach identified as video coach Brad Aldrich. The league barred the trio due to their “inadequate response,” but upon their reinstatement, the league cited their acknowledgment of the situation and their engagement in activities during their time away from the game that demonstrated genuine remorse and a heightened awareness of the responsibilities held by all NHL personnel.
In announcing Quenneville’s hiring, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek stated that the team had thoroughly investigated the events during Quenneville’s tenure with the Blackhawks in 2010, consulting numerous individuals, including advocates for positive change in hockey and NHL leadership. The findings aligned with Quenneville’s explanation that he was not fully informed of the seriousness of the situation at the time. Verbeek noted that Quenneville deeply regrets not probing further back then, has shown notable personal growth and accountability, and has earned the chance to resume coaching duties.
Quenneville, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks, will take over from Greg Cronin, who was dismissed after two seasons. Despite a 21-point improvement last season, the Ducks fell short of the playoffs by 16 points. With 969 wins across his coaching career with St. Louis, Colorado, Chicago, and Florida, Quenneville ranks second in NHL history.
Verbeek praised Quenneville as a proven winner and one of the premier coaches in NHL history, expressing confidence that the appointment signifies a significant stride towards the Ducks becoming perennial playoff contenders.
