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The Ducks are making a controversial hire with Joel Quenneville tapped as their next head coach, according to multiple reports, despite the NHL previously banning and reprimanding the 66-year-old for how he handled sexual assault allegations while he coached the Blackhawks.
Anaheim conducted an “extensive” look into his past and spoke with advocacy programs and the former Blackhawk who was allegedly sexually assaulted. The team believes Quenneville has taken the proper steps to learn from the incident, per ESPN.
Quenneville is one of the most successful head coaches in NHL history, guiding three Blackhawks teams to Stanley Cup triumphs in 2010, ’13 and ’15, and tallying 969 regular-season wins, the second-most in NHL history and the most among active coaches.
The later years of his coaching career have been marred by his “unacceptable” involvement in the sexual assault scandal that plagued the Blackhawks during their 2010 season.
Former Blackhawks player Kyle Beach alleged that he was sexually assaulted by former video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2010 season.
Quenneville coached the Blackhawks from 2010-19.
He resigned as Panthers head coach in 2021 after meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and received a ban for what the NHL labeled an “inadequate response” after learning of the investigations.
The NHL then reinstated Quenneville, former general manager Stan Bowman and former assistant general manager Al MacIsaac last July.
“While it is clear that, at the time, their responses were unacceptable, each of these three individuals has acknowledged that and used his time away from the game to engage in activities which, not only demonstrate sincere remorse for what happened, but also evidence greater awareness of the responsibilities that all NHL personnel have, particularly personnel who are in positions of leadership,” the NHL said in its statement at the time.
“Moreover, each has made significant strides in personal improvement by participating in myriad programs, many of which focused on the imperative of responding in effective and meaningful ways to address alleged acts of abuse. The League expects that they will continue this commitment in any future capacity with the NHL and/or one of our Clubs.”
Quenneville takes over a Ducks team mired in mediocrity, having missed the playoffs in seven straight seasons after this year’s 35-37-10 campaign.
He takes over for Greg Cronin after a two-year run.
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