Chicago Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Chicago Blackhawks, NHL or NHLPA
Anaheim Ducks players give blunt reaction to the organizations hiring of Joel Quenneville
Photo credit: Zach Cavanagh / The Sporting Tribune
Former Chicago Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville was hired by the Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek this week as the new head coach, and here's how Ducks players reacted to the news.
The Anaheim Ducks have quickly filled their coaching vacancy left when GM Pat Verbeek fired Greg Cronin. They made the final decision to hire former Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville to push the team forward in the next phase of the rebuild.
Quenneville has been out of the league since 2021 and was only reinstated during the summer of 2024 in July. GM Stan Bowman, was able to find a new job quicker than Quenneville, but finally he can say he reached his goal of coaching in the best hockey league in the world again.
Apparently, other NHL teams were lobbying to hire him, but the Ducks won.
Of course, his hiring doesn't come without a critical mass of opinions being shared due to his past. But Anaheim Ducks players were quick to share their feelings on the newest coaching hire in the NHL.
Troy Terry, a prolific scorer in the last two seasons for the Ducks, had some words of encouragement for the team's newest hire.
"We have a great leadership group, but when you can add that type of coach it's huge for everyone.", he said.
Frank Vatrano, a former NHL All-Star, weighed in on Quenneville's arrival in Anaheim.
"I think his mind for the game is great.", he said.
And Ryan Strome, former Ranger, now long-time Anaheim Ducks player, said his phone was buzzing with great words about Quenneville's abilities as a coach.
"My phone rang like 10-15 times...with people having great things to say.", he said
Coach Quenneville has left behind a legacy in Chicago, and imparted a winning tradition during his short-time in Florida.
Now he'll bring that to Anaheim and help reshape the Ducks into hunters on the West Coast, in the wild, Pacific Division.
| POLL | ||
MAI 9 | 232 ANSWERS Anaheim Ducks players give blunt reaction to the organizations hiring of Joel Quenneville Do you think Head Coach Joel Quenneville of the Anaheim Ducks will turn the team into winners? | ||
| Yes | 169 | 72.8 % |
| No | 63 | 27.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
