The Anaheim Ducks have appointed Joel Quenneville as their new head coach, marking an important milestone as he becomes the 12th coach in the franchise’s history.
General Manager Pat Verbeek expressed enthusiasm about the decision, stating, “Today is a great day for the Anaheim Ducks. Joel is a proven winner and one of the top coaches in NHL history. We believe this is a significant step toward becoming a consistent playoff contender.”
In the weeks leading up to the announcement, the Ducks interviewed numerous candidates and conducted a thorough review of Quenneville’s tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. They consulted various individuals, including advocates for positive change in hockey. The NHL cleared Quenneville to return to coaching last July. Verbeek noted, “Our findings align with Joel’s account that he wasn’t fully aware of the events in 2010. He deeply regrets not probing further at the time, and he has shown personal growth and accountability.”
At 66, Quenneville boasts an impressive coaching resume. He has led teams to three Stanley Cup championships during his 25 years in the NHL, specifically with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013, and 2015. He is one of only 11 coaches in NHL history to achieve this feat and the only one do so in the salary cap era.
Quenneville shared his excitement for the new role: “I’m thrilled to join the Anaheim Ducks. This is the organization I wanted to return to, and I’m grateful for this chance. The Ducks have incredible ownership, management, and passionate fans. Over nearly four years away from the game, I’ve learned from my past mistakes and understand that actions speak louder than words when it comes to being a better leader.”
He has a remarkable coaching record of 969 wins, 572 losses, and 77 ties in regular-season play across several teams, including the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks. This makes him the second-winningest coach in NHL history. Additionally, he has taken his teams to the playoffs 20 times and has 23 series wins, ranking fourth all-time.
Quenneville began his coaching career after serving as an assistant for the Quebec Nordiques and Colorado Avalanche, contributing to the Avalanche’s 1996 Stanley Cup victory. Before coaching, he played as a defenseman, notably selected 21st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1978 NHL Draft, accumulating 190 points over 803 NHL games.
As Quenneville steps into this pivotal role, many fans are hopeful that his experience and dedication will help the Ducks reclaim their competitive edge in the league.
For more details on Quenneville’s coaching career, check out this [NHL.com article on coaching statistics](https://www.nhl.com/stats/coaches). It’s a great resource for understanding his legacy in the league.