Joel Quenneville
Second in NHL coaching wins at 1,000 behind Scotty Bowman; led Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups.
Joel Norman Quenneville (born September 15, 1958) is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "Coach Q", he is second in NHL coaching wins at 1,000 behind Scotty Bowman. Quenneville achieved his greatest success as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, a team he coached from 2008 to 2018. He led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015. The team's championship victory in 2010 was the Blackhawks' first since 1961, ending the then-longest Stanley Cup drought.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Head Coach
- Affiliation
- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
- Tenure start
- 2008-09 Season
- Status
- Former Head Coach
- Major achievement
- Three Stanley Cup Championships
Lore & Background
Quenneville also served as the head coach of the St. Louis Blues from 1996 to 2004, the Colorado Avalanche from 2005 to 2008, and the Florida Panthers from 2019 to 2021. As a player, Quenneville was drafted 21st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1978 NHL entry draft. A defenceman, he played for the OHA's Windsor Spitfires, the New Brunswick Hawks, Baltimore Skipjacks and St. John's Maple Leafs of the American Hockey League (AHL), and the Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies/New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers and Washington Capitals of the NHL. He has also been a player/assistant coach of St. John's, head coach of the AHL's Springfield Indians, and assistant coach of the Quebec Nordiques and Colorado Avalanche. Quenneville won the Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the Avalanche in 1996. He led St. Louis to seven straight playoff berths. His best season was in 1999–2000, when he led the Blues to a franchise-record 51 wins and their first Presidents' Trophy. He won the Jack Adams Award as the best coach of the regular season. On February 24, 2004, Quenneville was fired by the Blues and replaced by his assistant Mike Kitchen. He left as the all-time winningest coach in franchise history with 307 wins. Quenneville was hired as head coach by the Avalanche in June 2004. In his first year, he led the team to the playoffs and a first round upset of the Dallas Stars. On May 9, 2008, the Avalanche announced that Quenneville was leaving the organization in what was called a mutual parting of the ways. Quenneville was hired as a pro scout by the Chicago Blackhawks in September 2008. On October 16, 2008, he was promoted to head coach, replacing Denis Savard. He led the Blackhawks to the 2009 Western Conference Final and the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, earning his first Stanley Cup as a head coach. On December 18, 2011, he earned his 600th career coaching win. After the Blackhawks clinched the Presidents' Trophy in the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, Quenneville earned his second championship as a head coach against the Boston Bruins during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. On March 19, 2014, he became the third head coach in NHL history to record 700 wins. On March 23, 2015, he reached 750 wins. His team won the Stanley Cup for the third time on June 15, 2015, with a 2–0 shutout over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Reader's Guide
Quenneville is second in NHL coaching wins at 1,000 behind Scotty Bowman. He has won three Stanley Cups as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks (2010, 2013, 2015). He also won the Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. He won the Jack Adams Award in 1999–2000. He is the all-time winningest coach in St. Louis Blues franchise history with 307 wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joel Quenneville in Blackhawks history?
He is a legendary head coach best known for leading the franchise to three Stanley Cup victories during his tenure starting in 2008.
What role did Joel Quenneville play with the team?
Quenneville served as the head coach, responsible for managing the roster and strategy while balancing experienced players with new stars.
When did Joel Quenneville start coaching the Blackhawks?
He began his tenure with the franchise at the start of the 2008-09 season following a period of instability under previous management.
What are Joel Quenneville's major achievements?
His most significant accomplishments include winning three Stanley Cup Championships, which cemented his status as a Hall of Fame inductee.
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