Quenneville resigns as Panthers coach, named in Blackhawks investigation

Quenneville coached the Blackhawks for 11 seasons starting up in 2008 and gained the Stanley Cup with them in 2010, 2013 and 2015 forward of being fired Nov. 6, 2018. The 63-365 days-used changed into as soon as in his third season with the Panthers.

“The Nationwide Hockey League is of the same opinion with the resolution tonight by Joel Quenneville to resign his duties as head coach of the Florida Panthers,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated in a assertion. “In his used position as Chicago Blackhawks head coach, Mr. Quenneville changed into as soon as amongst several used members of the Club’s senior management group who mishandled the 2010 sexual assault order by used participant Kyle Seaside against the Club’s then-video coach, Brad Aldrich. And, following a gathering with Mr. Quenneville that took station this afternoon in my place of work, all parties agreed that it changed into as soon as no longer appropriate that he proceed to encourage as Florida’s head coach. 

“I delight in Kyle Seaside for his courage in coming forward, am appalled that he changed into as soon as so poorly supported upon making his initial order and in the 11 years since, and am sorry for all he has endured.

“We thank the Panthers’ group for working with us to be optimistic a radical task changed into as soon as followed. Given the terminate outcome, there isn’t one of these thing as a need for any extra action by the NHL regarding Mr. Quenneville as we recount. However, also can light he purchase to re-enter the League in some skill in the long speed, I will require a gathering with him upfront in remark to search out out the correct circumstances underneath which such original employment could happen.”

The Panthers stated an period in-between coach announcement is impending.

“After the release of the Jenner & Block investigative affirm on Tuesday afternoon, now we procure continued to diligently evaluate the data within that affirm, as properly as to original info that has currently turn out to be accessible,” Panthers president and CEO Matt Caldwell stated in a assertion. “It will also light trip with out announcing that the habits described in that affirm is troubling and inexcusable. It stands in advise distinction to our values as a company and what the Florida Panthers stand for. No person also can light ever desire to endure what Kyle Seaside experienced at some stage in, and long after, his time in Chicago. Pretty merely, he changed into as soon as failed. We praise his bravery and courage in coming forward.

“Following a gathering at the present time with Commissioner Bettman at Nationwide Hockey League locations of work, which changed into as soon as piece of the league’s task to purchase the splendid approach to transfer forward, Joel made the resolution to resign and the Florida Panthers licensed that resignation.”

Reid Schar, a used federal prosecutor and companion at Jenner & Block LLP, launched the findings of his firm’s just investigation into the allegations Tuesday, and the NHL fined the Blackhawks $2 million “for the group’s inadequate inner procedures and insufficient and untimely response in the facing of matters connected” to the alleged bump into. Commissioner Bettman also announced he desired to fulfill with Winnipeg Jets traditional manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, who changed into as soon as Blackhawks assistant GM at the time.

Quenneville issued a assertion following the Panthers announcement.

“With deep feel sorry about and contrition, I command my resignation as head coach of the Florida Panthers,” Quenneville stated. “I would favor to particular my sorrow for the agonize this young man, Kyle Seaside, has suffered. My used team the Blackhawks failed Kyle and I have confidence my piece of that. I would favor to mirror on how all of this came about and purchase the time to coach myself on ensuring hockey spaces ae stable for everyone.”

In step with Schar’s findings, Quenneville changed into as soon as amongst six americans then with Blackhawks senior management who met Would possibly maybe 23, 2010, to debate the alleged sexual assault, which took place Would possibly maybe 8 or 9, 2010. Also contemporary to hear a affirm from psychological talents coach and team counselor Jim Gary, who had spoken with Seaside, procure been then-Blackhawks president John McDonough, then-senior vp Jay Blunk, then-GM Stan Bowman, then-senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac, and Cheveldayoff.

The meeting took station within an hour of Chicago defeating the San Jose Sharks in the Western Convention Final to advance to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.

“One gape recalled that at some stage in the meeting, Mr. McDonough and coach Quenneville made comments about the distress of attending to the Stanley Cup Final and a desire to condominium the team and the playoffs,” Schar stated. “What is optimistic is, after being educated of Aldrich’s alleged sexual harassment and misconduct with the participant, no action changed into as soon as taken for 3 weeks.”

Quenneville and Cheveldayoff procure been the most keen americans who attended that meeting who procure been working in the NHL after Bowman resigned and MacIsaac changed into as soon as let trip by the Blackhawks on Tuesday. McDonough changed into as soon as fired by Chicago on April 27, 2020. Blunk and Gary left the Blackhawks this offseason.

Cheveldayoff is scheduled to fulfill with Commissioner Bettman within days.

Quenneville is 2d in teaching wins in NHL historical past, in the again of Scotty Bowman (1,244), with a account of 969-572-150 with 77 ties in 25 seasons with the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche, Blackhawks and Panthers. Florida qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in every of its first two seasons underneath Quenneville and is 7-0-0 this season.

Seaside on Wednesday came forward because the participant at the center of the investigation into the allegations against Aldrich and the Blackhawks. The No. 11 purchase of the 2008 NHL Draft, Seaside, now 31, never played in the NHL. He changed into as soon as 20 years used at the time of the alleged incident.

“Or no longer it’s a long way a huge step for me, my strategy of restoration, as I task the events that came about and as I truly contend with the underlying disorders that I truly procure from them,” Seaside stated. “For me, I desired to return forward and build my name on this. To be merely, or no longer it’s already accessible. The fundamental aspects procure been lovely actual in the affirm, and or no longer it has been figured out. Better than that, I’ve been a survivor, I am a survivor. And I know I’m no longer alone.”