Three-time Stanley Cup champion coach Joel Quenneville no longer leads the Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago General Manager Stan Bowman announced that Quenneville and his staff are out, and Jeremy Colliton is in as the new head coach. Colliton, who played sparingly in five seasons with the New York Islanders, had served as head coach of Chicago’s affiliate in Rockford, Ill. Barry Smith will be Colliton’s top assistant.
At age 33, Colliton becomes the youngest coach in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Three Cups in Quenneville Era
After a promising start in 2018, the Blackhawks (6-6-3) went 0-5 in their last five games, or 0-4-1 in the NHL’s bizarre method of awarding wins and losses. The Hawks scored eight goals and surrendered 22 in that five-game skid. When effort disappears in a hockey team’s defensive zone, coaches often disappear as well.
Last season, the Hawks missed the playoffs for the first time during Quenneville’s 10-year tenure.
There were golden times for the ‘Hawks under “Coach Q.” The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015 and went 452-249-96 during Quenneville’s 10-plus seasons. His $6 million annual contract expires as the end of the 2019-20 season.
Colliton is the 38th head coach in the storied NHL franchise. Colliton makes coaching debut Thursday in Chicago when the Blackhawks host Carolina in a 7:30 p.m. game.
Photo Credits: Quenneville (cover photo) courtesy Chicago Tribune Colliton courtesy Chicago Blackhawks
Roger Dier covers the Chicago Blackhawks for Full Press Coverage. Follow Roger on Twitter @rogerdier
