A day after he was implicated in the findings of a sexual assault investigation into his former Blackhawks team, Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville was on the bench coaching – but nowhere to be found after the game.
Quenneville – who knew about the assault allegations against former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich while he was head coach, per the findings released Tuesday – ducked media after the game. Instead, general manager Bill Zito addressed reporters.
“In light of this afternoon’s news, we felt it appropriate that I address you all,” Zito said. “Joel will be meeting with commissioner Gary Bettman tomorrow. He has no comments prior to that meeting.”
Earlier in the night, Kyle Beach came forward as the anonymous former Blackhawks player who accused Aldrich of sexually assaulting him in 2010, during the team’s Stanley Cup title run. Per the investigation conducted by law firm Block & Jenner, Quenneville was aware of the allegations, but the team didn’t act until weeks later, quietly asking Aldrich to resign or face an investigation. Aldrich also celebrated with the team when they won the Cup.
Speaking on TSN Wednesday, Beach doubled down that Quenneville was aware of the allegations.
“I’ve witnessed meetings, right after I reported it to [then-Blackhawks coach] James Gary, that were held in Joel Quenneville’s office. There’s absolutely no way that he can deny knowing it,” Beach said.
Quenneville will likely learn of his fate after his meeting with Bettman on Thursday. His Panthers are 7-0-0 on the season.
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman resigned Tuesday after the findings were released.
