Joel Quenneville has resigned as the head coach of the Florida Panthers

Cam Lewis
Cam Lewis
Joel Quenneville has resigned as the head coach of the Florida Panthers

Joel Quenneville will no longer be the coach of the Florida Panthers.

According to Frank Seravalli, Quenneville has resigned from his position and the Panthers are promoting assistant Andrew Brunette to be the interim head coach.

Quenneville, along with Panthers general manager Bill Zito, met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday concerning his involvement in the Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual abuse case.

A report from law firm Jenner & Block, which was released Wednesday, outlined the Blackhawks’ inaction following sexual-assault allegations surrounding video coach Brad Aldrich.

Quenneville was the coach of the Blackhawks during the 2010 season when the abuse transpired and the report revealed that he was aware of the situation and took part in at least one meeting regarding the allegations during the 2010 playoffs. Quenneville had stated previously that he was made aware of the allegations during the summer through the media.

“With deep regret and contrition, I announce my resignation as head coach of the Florida Panthers,” Quenneville said in a statement. “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.”

Panthers President and CEO Matt Caldwell issued the following statement…

“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. 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.

“Following a meeting today with Commissioner Bettman at National Hockey League offices, which was part of the league’s process to decide how to move forward, Joel made the decision to resign and the Florida Panthers accepted that resignation.”

According to a statement from Bettman, Quenneville wants to re-enter the NHL in any capacity in the future, he’ll have to have a meeting with the league’s commissioner “in order to determine the appropriate conditions under which such employment might take place.”

Stan Bowman and Al MacIsaac, two members of the Blackhawks’ front office, left their positions on Wednesday when the details about the investigation became public. Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, who was also a part of the 2010 Blackhawks front office, will have a meeting with Bettman on Friday.

Quenneville was behind the bench for the Panthers’ win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.

The Panthers are currently off to their best start in franchise history with a 7-0-0 record. Quenneville was hired by the team ahead of the 2019-20 season, a few months after he was fired by the Blackhawks.

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