After more than three years away from the NHL, Joel Quenneville is back. The 66-year-old has been named the new head coach of the Anaheim Ducks, making him the 12th coach in team history. This marks a fresh start for both Quenneville and the Ducks as they aim to become serious playoff contenders.
Quenneville’s Return After a Long Break
Joel Quenneville last coached in the NHL in 2021, when he resigned from the Florida Panthers. His resignation came after an investigation revealed how he and others handled serious allegations made by former Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach. Beach accused a video coach, Brad Aldrich, of sexual assault during the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup run.
A report showed that Quenneville and other top team officials failed to act quickly or properly. Although he first claimed he wasn’t aware of the situation, later findings confirmed that he knew about it but didn’t push for immediate action.
As of July 2024, Quenneville was officially reinstated by the NHL and allowed to return to work. The Ducks did a full background check before hiring him. They even spoke to Kyle Beach and others in the hockey community to ensure Quenneville had shown growth and accountability.
Ducks GM Says Quenneville Has Grown
Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said the team took the decision seriously. He noted that Quenneville has taken steps to learn from the past and now understands the impact of what happened in 2010. Verbeek said, “It is clear that Joel deeply regrets not asking more questions back then. He has grown personally and professionally.”
Verbeek added, “Joel is a proven winner and one of the best coaches in NHL history. We believe he can help our young team reach the next level.”
A New Direction for the Ducks
The Ducks showed clear progress this season. They improved by 21 points, finishing with a 35-37-10 record. With a young core — the team’s average age is just 26.65 — the Ducks are building for the future. Hiring an experienced coach like Quenneville is part of their plan to become a regular playoff team.
Before finalizing Quenneville, the Ducks also interviewed other strong candidates like Jay Woodcroft, Rick Tocchet, and David Carle. But Quenneville was their first choice, and they believe he’s the right person for the job.
Quenneville’s Coaching Career So Far
Joel Quenneville began his NHL coaching career in the 1997–98 season with the St. Louis Blues. He later coached the Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks, and Florida Panthers. His most successful time came with the Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
He has also won the NHL’s Coach of the Year (Jack Adams Award) three times — in 1999–2000, 2012–13, and 2020–21.
With 969 career wins, he is the second-winningest coach in NHL history, behind only Scotty Bowman, who has 1,244 wins.
Joel Quenneville’s return to the NHL is big news. His hiring by the Anaheim Ducks comes with serious attention to his past and a hope for a better future. With one of the youngest teams in the league, the Ducks are hoping that Quenneville’s experience and leadership will help them grow into championship contenders. Whether or not his past decisions affect his legacy, his coaching skills could be key in shaping Anaheim’s success in the coming seasons.
