Joel Quenneville out as coach in Florida after Chicago sexual assault investigation

By John Marchesan and The Associated Press

Posted October 28, 2021 9:55 pm.

Last Updated October 29, 2021 7:03 am.

Joel Quenneville has stepped down as the head coach of the Florida Panthers in the wake of an independent investigation that found the Chicago Blackhawks ignored allegations of sexual assault made by a former player more than a decade ago.

Quenneville was the head coach of the Blackhawks when former first-round pick Kyle Beach claimed he was sexually assaulted by a member of his coaching staff in May 2010.

In a brief statement issued Thursday night, Quenneville announced his resignation “with deep regret and contrition.”

“I want to express my sorrow for the pain this young man, Kyle Beach, has suffered,” Quenneville said. “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 came after a meeting with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York on Thursday to discuss some of the claims raised by Beach in the report.

“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. “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 …all parties agreed that it was no longer appropriate that he continue to serve as Florida’s head coach.”

Statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on the resignation of Joel Quenneville. pic.twitter.com/1KjdI2SKOL

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 29, 2021

“Joel made the decision to resign and the Florida Panthers accepted that resignation,” Panthers President Matthew Caldwell said in a statement released by the team.

Beach alleges the team largely ignored his claims for three weeks after a May 23, 2010, meeting discussing them took place. That was the same day Chicago finished off a four-game sweep of San Jose to reach the Stanley Cup final.

Beach said a meeting about his claims took place in Quenneville’s office and that based on what others involved have said, he believes that the coach thought “trying to win a Stanley Cup was more important than sexual assault.”

At 7-0-0, the Panthers are off to their best start in the franchise’s 28-year history, looking very much like the Stanley Cup contender that Quenneville was hired in 2019 to build.

Winnipeg Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will hold his own meeting with Gary Bettman on Friday about his role in Blackhawks scandal. Cheveldayoff was the assistant general manager of the Blackhawks in 2010. The meeting was supposed to be on Monday but the Jets requested to move it up.

Beach released a statement on his Twitter account Thursday expressing his gratitude for the support he’s received and that he still has a long road ahead, but is determined to hold the Chicago Blackhawks accountable.

“I have immense gratitude for the outpouring of endless love and support that has come through within the past 48 hours,” Beach writes.

“Although the results of the private investigation have been released, and the Blackhawks have apologized, my battle is really just beginning as the Blackhawks continue to attempt to destroy my case in court.

“While I take this time to reflect and continue the healing process, it is a reminder that this is not about me as an individual. This is to promote open communication that will facilitate change for the future — to promote safety, as well as the health and well-being of society as a whole.

“Thank you.”