Joel Quenneville out as Florida Panthers coach amid Blackhawks sexual assault claim – National
Former Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has resigned because the coach of the Florida Panthers following the discharge of an investigation right into a 2010 sexual assault allegation by a former Blackhawks participant.
In a press release from Nationwide Hockey League (NHL) Public Relations Thursday, Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned that the NHL “agrees” with Quenneville’s choice to step down as head coach.
“In his former function as Chicago Blackhawks head coach, Mr. Quenneville was amongst a number of former members of the Membership’s senior management group who mishandled the 2010 sexual assault declare by former participant Kyle Seaside towards the Membership’s then-video coach, Brad Aldrich,” learn Bettman’s assertion.
“I like Kyle Seaside for his braveness in coming ahead, am appalled that he was so poorly supported upon making his preliminary declare and within the 11 years since, and am sorry for all he has endured.”
Quenneville on Thursday met with Bettman about his function in what transpired in Chicago through the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, the place Seaside claimed he was sexually assaulted by Aldrich.
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Seaside, who’s from North Vancouver, B.C., was chosen eleventh total within the 2008 draft by Chicago.
He by no means performed within the NHL however was a so-called “Black Ace” for the crew in 2010, training with them regularly in case the crew wanted a alternative participant if one other was injured.
On the time, Quenneville was the pinnacle coach of the crew, which additionally went on to win the Stanley Cup that yr.
Seaside’s allegations state that high Blackhawks officers, together with Quenneville, didn’t prioritize his claims as a result of an opportunity to win the championship was extra essential than his private security.
Quenneville said in July that he was unaware of the allegations till this summer time. He maintained his stance on Wednesday, regardless of an unbiased report into the incident claiming that he was beforehand in conferences about it on the time.
Stan Bowman, who was common supervisor of the Blackhawks on the time of the alleged assault, resigned from his place on Tuesday over the report.
Learn extra:
Sexual abuse survivor, ex-player speaks about Blackhawks scandal: ‘Nobody thought in regards to the sufferer’
The unbiased report by Jenner & Block was ready in response to 2 lawsuits filed towards the Blackhawks — the primary being Seaside’s allegations towards Aldrich and the opposite filed by a former scholar who Aldrich was convicted of assaulting in Michigan.
Quenneville’s success in Chicago — three Stanley Cups for the Blackhawks — was the explanation why Florida introduced him in to teach the Panthers somewhat over two seasons in the past.
Within the historical past of NHL, Quenneville is the coach with the second-most wins. His 968 victories carefully follows the 1,244 gathered by Scotty Bowman, the daddy of now-former common supervisor Bowman.
Quenneville rotated a long-struggling franchise within the Panthers — one which had cycled by 15 coaches in 25 seasons, together with 5 in a six-season span earlier than Quenneville was employed.
In a press release earlier Thursday, Panthers Basic Supervisor Invoice Zito expressed assist for Seaside.
“As a corporation, we commend Kyle Seaside for his braveness in coming ahead this night to convey to gentle the ache he endured throughout his time in Chicago,” learn a press release.
“The occasions described are severe and extreme, and we’re working carefully with the Nationwide Hockey League to help on this ongoing course of.”
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— with recordsdata from the Related Press and the Canadian Press
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