Joel Quenneville Achieves 1,000th NHL Victory
In a thrilling comeback, Joel Quenneville achieved a remarkable milestone by securing his 1,000th victory as an NHL head coach when the Anaheim Ducks triumphed over the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 on Wednesday night. This historic win invokes memories of Scotty Bowman, the only other coach to reach this landmark, who accomplished it back in 1997 with the Detroit Red Wings. Quenneville’s milestone was particularly special as it came on the Ducks’ return from the Olympic break.
Game Highlights
The game unfolded dramatically, with the Ducks overcoming two two-goal deficits and an additional setback in the third period before Cutter Gauthier netted the decisive goal with just 1:14 remaining. As the final buzzer sounded, celebration erupted on the bench, with Quenneville exchanging high-fives with players and later joining them on the ice for a team photograph.
Quenneville’s Comeback Story
At 67 years old, Quenneville’s comeback to the NHL this season has been noteworthy. After stepping down from his role with the Florida Panthers in late 2021 amidst the fallout from the Chicago Blackhawks‘ sexual abuse scandal, he spent four years away from coaching. His ban from the NHL was lifted in July 2024, and the Ducks hired him the following year, aiming to revitalize a team that had missed the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons. Under his leadership, the Ducks (31-23-3) have surged into playoff contention in the Western Conference, showcasing a talented young roster gaining invaluable experience.
Coaching Career Overview
Quenneville, a former NHL defenseman renowned for his iconic mustache, has an extensive coaching career spanning parts of 26 seasons. He led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup victories during a dominant stretch from 2008 to 2017. His journey in coaching began after he retired from playing in 1992, winning a Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. He became the head coach of the St. Louis Blues mid-season in 1996-97, guiding the team to seven consecutive playoff appearances before being dismissed.
After a brief stint in Colorado, where he led the Avs to two playoff berths in three seasons, Quenneville joined the Blackhawks. His tenure there was marked by unprecedented success, including breaking a 49-year championship drought in 2010. However, following his firing in 2018, Quenneville faced a significant setback due to his involvement in the Blackhawks’ handling of serious allegations of abuse. The NHL condemned his actions while expressing that he had shown contrition and been proactive in learning appropriate responses in similar situations.
Looking Ahead
In his absence from the game, Quenneville remained engaged with the NHL landscape, watching games nightly and keeping in touch with former colleagues, including Pat Verbeek, the Ducks’ general manager. Verbeek took a gamble by hiring Quenneville amid potential backlash but has seen the decision yield positive results on the ice thus far.
Looking ahead, Quenneville may soon be joined in the 1,000-win club by fellow coaches Paul Maurice and Lindy Ruff, who continue to accumulate victories in their respective careers. Maurice, having recently won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Panthers, has 945 wins, while Ruff celebrated his 933rd with the Buffalo Sabres’ recent win over New Jersey. Both coaches have considerably more games under their belts than Quenneville but still have room to grow in their win totals as they aim to solidify their legacies in the league.
