Is Joel Quenneville still Panthers coach Full timeline of former Blackhawks coachs involvement in 2010 scandal

Joel Quenneville is no longer the Panthers head coach. On Thursday, the onetime Blackhawks head coach met in New York with commissioner Gary Bettman to determine the next steps to be taken after it was revealed he was involved in Chicago’s coverup of a 2010 sexual assault and then lied about his role in it. At 9:50 p.m. ET, the Panthers organization announced he resigned.

“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.”

The meeting that also included NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, Panthers general manager Bill Zito and Panthers president and CEO Matthew Caldwell, came 48 hours after the Blackhawks organization publicly released a 107-page document that involved interviewing 139 witnesses over the course of a four-month independent investigation following a lawsuit filed by a former player in May 2021. The report went into detail regarding a sexual assault that occurred in May 2010 and the lack of an investigation by the Blackhawks organization at that time.

“The National Hockey League agrees with the decision tonight … And, following a meeting with Mr. Quenneville that took place this afternoon in my office, all parties agreed that it was no longer appropriate that he continue to serve as Florida’s head coach,” Bettman wrote in a statement. 

Added Caldwell, in the announcement of Quenneville’s resignation: “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.”

MORE: Full details, timeline from Blackhawks sexual assault scandal

On Wednesday, Kyle Beach, came forward as â€œJohn Doe,” the former Blackhawks player, in an emotional 27-minute interview with TSN’s Rick Westhead. Beach firmly believes there is no way Quenneville could not have known about the allegations against video coach Brad Aldrich.

“(Former GM) Stan Bowman has quoted Joel Quenneville saying â€" and this is not a quote, this is my words â€" saying that the playoffs, the Stanley Cup playoffs and trying to win a Stanley Cup was more important than sexual assault. And I can’t believe that. As a human being, I cannot believe that, and I cannot accept that,” he said.

“I’ve witnessed meetings, right after I reported it to (former team mental skills coach) James Gary, that were held in Joel Quenneville’s office. There’s absolutely no way that he can deny knowing it and there’s absolutely no way that Stan Bowman would make up a quote like that, to somebody who served his organization and his team so well.” 

MORE: Beach on stepping forward as John Doe: ‘I feel vindicated’

Full timeline of Joel Quenneville’s involvement

Aug. 1, 2008

Brad Aldrich is hired by the Blackhawks as the video coach.

September 2008 

After leaving the Avalanche in May, Quenneville joins the Blackhawks as a pro scout. 

Oct. 16, 2008

Quenneville is promoted to head coach after the team fires head coach Denis Savard. 

June 2009

Quenneville provides an unsigned performance evaluation, of Aldrich writing: â€œBrad did a great job to accommodate the coaches preparing for meetings and their everyday needs … I believe going forward Brad can be more efficient by being in a separate working environment [and] not in the middle constantly being disturbed.”

May 8 or 9, 2010

John Doe, now identified as Kyle Beach, is sexually assaulted and threatened by Brad Aldrich in Chicago.

May 12-19, 2010 

While in San Jose during the Western Conference finals, John Doe tells Paul Vincent, the Blackhawks skating coach, what occurred. Vincent, however, recalls hearing rumors from Nick Boynton and then approached John Doe and another player, revealed to be Black Ace 1 mentioned below.

May 23, 2010

The Blackhawks eliminated the Sharks from the playoffs in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. One hour after, a meeting took place with the following senior managers:

President John McDonough

Senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac

General Manager Stan Bowman

Executive Vice President Jay Blunk

Assistant General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff

Head coach Joel Quenneville

Mental skills coach and team counselor Jim Gary

Per the report, Quenneville was brought in after the meeting started since the incident involved a coach.

The report also notes all men recall being told there was an incident. Gary remembers stating Aldrich was threatening John Doe’s career but none recalled being told the exact nature of what occurred. Others in the meeting recall Gary stating Aldrich tried to “get under the sheets” with John Doe.

It seemed there was more concern for the on-ice product than what occurred off the ice:

Bowman recalled that during the meeting, McDonough and Quenneville made comments about the challenge of getting to the Stanley Cup Finals and a desire to focus on the team and the playoffs. 

Bowman also said:

After learning of the incident, Quenneville shook his head and said that it was hard for the team to get to where they were, and they could not deal with this issue now.

The last time the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup was in 1961 and they had not made the final since 1992.

When questioned about his role, Quenneville told the investigation:

Quenneville recalled others in the meeting stating that “an event happened without saying what happened” and that “something may have happened.

When interviewed, Quenneville stated that he believed that the issue being discussed involved a coach doing something improper and that the group was meeting to decide whether to “make it public.”

Quenneville also stated that he did not believe that John Doe’s name was referenced and, after multiple interviews, Quenneville was unclear whether Aldrich’s name was referenced.

Quenneville also said when interviewed that he did not recall anyone saying it was hard for the team to get where they were in the playoffs, but recalled that his focus was on winning and this meeting was unexpected.

It should be noted that other members of that meeting specifically remember Kyle Beach and Brad Aldrich’s names discussed; however, there is no information stating whether that was before or after Quenneville joined the meeting.

MORE: Blackhawks’ Toews, Kane defend Stan Bowman

June 9, 2010

The Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup.

June 14, 2010

McDonough informs human resources regarding the allegations of Aldrich and the May 23 meeting. Per the report, the director of human resources noted: â€œMcDonough said it was decided that the group would not alert Human Resources or do anything about the incident during the playoffs so as not to disturb team chemistry.”

June 16, 2010

Aldrich resigns. He is given a severance, playoff bonus, allowed to have his name engraved on the Cup, have a day with the Stanley Cup, was given a championship ring and was at the banner-raising ceremony. Quenneville states he was not involved in any conversations regarding Aldrich’s separation from the Blackhawks organization and did not know why he was separated. The director of human resources did state she “believed” she personally told Quenneville Aldrich was gone.

June 29, 2010

In another unsigned evaluation, Quenneville wrote: “Aldrich did a great job for the coaching staff in preparing us for all of our meetings and coordinating several tasks that we forward his way. Brad has several people relying on him at the same moment and has a way of deflecting and accommodating everyone at once … Congrats on winning the Stanley Cup!”

Quenneville did not recall writing the evaluation or if he knew he was no longer with the Blackhawks but “did not dispute that he may have written the evaluation” and said it “looked like something he would write.”

Nov. 6, 2018

The Blackhawks fire Quenneville.

April 8, 2019

Quenneville is hired by the Florida Panthers as their new head coach.

January 2021

Gary tells the director of human resources, “Quenneville appeared angry and was concerned about upsetting team chemistry.”

May 7, 2021

An unnamed former Blackhawks player (referred to as John Doe 1) filed a lawsuit in an Illinois court against the organization. The filing alleges the Blackhawks ignored the player and a teammate’s disclosure of then video coach Brad Aldrich’s sexual assault in 2010.

July 13, 2021

Quenneville calls the allegations “clearly serious” and releases the following statement through the Panthers:

“I first learned of these allegations through the media earlier this summer,” Quenneville said. “I have contacted the Blackhawks organization to let them know I will support and participate in the independent review. Out of respect for all those involved, I won’t comment further while this matter is before the courts.”

Oct. 26, 2021

The report is released, stating Quenneville knew of the allegations and indicated he put the team winning a Stanley Cup before reporting. For the full report, released publicly by the Blackhawks, click here.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announces he will be speaking in person with Quenneville on Thursday.

Oct. 27, 2021

Quenneville speaks to the media following the Panthers’ morning skate and confirms he will be meeting with Bettman and it will be held in New York. 

Asked if he stands by the statement he released in July â€" that he first learned of the Chicago allegations that summer â€" Quenneville says yes, but he won’t comment further.

â€" Matt Porter (@mattyports) October 27, 2021

At 6 p.m. on TSN, Kyle Beach speaks with Rick Westhead and states: “There’s absolutely no way that he (Quenneville) can deny knowing it.”

Quenneville coaches the Panthers to a win over the Bruins, with the game starting at 7 p.m. ET.

After the game. Quenneville is not made available to the media and, instead, general manager Bill Zito reads the following statement: 

“Joel will be meeting with Commissioner Gary Bettman (Thursday) and he has no comments prior to that meeting.

As an organization we commend Kyle Beach for his courage in coming forward this evening to bring to light the pain he endured during his time in Chicago. Information that has recently become available is deeply troubling. There’s no question the events described in (Tuesday’s) report are serious and severe. We are working closely with the National Hockey League to assist with the ongoing process and with respect to that will not comment further until after the commissioner’s meeting tomorrow with Joel.”

Oct. 28, 2021

Quenneville, Zito and president and CEO Matt Caldwell meet with Bettman and Daly in New York. Quenneville resigns later in the evening.

Share this post