Joel Quenneville is out as head coach of the Panthers
The fallout of the sexual assault scandal involving Kyle Beach and the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks has made its way to Sunrise, with ex-Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville tendering his resignation as head coach of the Florida Panthers.
The Panthers announced the move late Thursday night following Quenneville’s meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, and one day after Quenneville coached the Panthers to a 4-1 win over the Bruins.
“With deep regret and contrition, I announce my resignation as head coach coach of the Florida Panthers,” Quenneville said in a statement confirming the decision. “I want to express my sorrow for the pain this young man, Kyle Beach, has suffered. My former team the Blackhawks failed Kyle and I own my share of that.
“I want to reflect on how all of this happened and take the time to educate myself on ensuring hockey spaces are safe for everyone.”
Quenneville’s decision to resign did not come with any protest from the Panthers, according to team president and CEO Matt Caldwell.
“After the release of the Jenner & Block investigative report on Tuesday afternoon, we have continued to diligently review the information within that report, in addition to new information that has recently become available,” Caldwell said in a statement. “It should go without saying that the conduct described in that report is troubling and inexcusable. It stands in direct contrast to our values as an organization and what the Florida Panthers stand for. No one should ever have to endure what Kyle Beach experienced during, and long after, his time in Chicago. Quite simply, he was failed. We praise his bravery and courage in coming forward.”
The decision made by Quenneville also had the backing of the NHL following Thursday’s meeting.
“The National Hockey League agrees with the decision tonight by Joel Quenneville to resign his duties as head coach of the Florida Panthers,” Bettman said in a statement. “In his former role as Chicago Blackhawks head coach, Mr. Quenneville was among several former members of the Club’s senior leadership group who mishandled the 2010 sexual assault claim by former player Kyle Beach against the Club’s then-video coach, Brad Aldrich. And, following a meeting with Mr. Quenneville that took place this afternoon in my office, all parties agreed that it was no longer appropriate that he continue to serve as Florida’s head coach.”
Bettman also noted that while Quenneville will not be subject to any discipline, he will have to meet with Bettman and the league to ‘determine the appropriate conditions under which such new employment might take place’ should he attempt to re-enter the NHL in any sort of capacity.
The 63-year-old Quenneville ranks second on the NHL’s all-time wins list (969), and has won three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015 and all with the Blackhawks), over a 25-year career as a head coach.
With Quenneville on the outs in Florida, assistant coach Andrew Brunette will take over as the 7-0-0 team’s interim head coach. Some notable head coaching candidates currently available include John Tortorella, Rick Tocchet, Claude Julien, Mike Babcock, and Bruce Boudreau. Tortorella has already been linked to the Panthers, according to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes.
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
