The team announced Thursday that the Anaheim Ducks have hired Joel Quinnerville as their new coach.

"This is an organization that I want to start over with my career and really appreciate the opportunity," Quenneville said in a statement. "Duck has incredible ownership, management and passionate fans. I learned from previous mistakes in nearly four years from the game and realized that it would be an action on words, which shows my commitment to becoming a better leader."

Quenneville has left the NHL after resigning from the Florida Panthers after an investigation into the Chicago Blackhawks. A law firm’s independent report in October 2021 details how the Blackhawks failed to properly address the allegations of player Kyle Beach, which were sexually assaulted by video coach Brad Aldrich during the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup run.

The league determined that then-coach Quenneville, then-manager Stan Bowman and then-executive Al Macisaac were not eligible to work on other NHL teams, and the Blackhawks were fined $2 million for their inadequate policies. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman lifted the ban in July 2024, and the league noted that the three expressed "sincere remorse" of the alleged "unacceptable" reactions. Bowman has since been hired as general manager of the Edmonton Oilers.

The Duck has given a broad view of Quinnavir’s role over the past few weeks and has spoken to the advocacy group he has established. Sources told ESPN that the team also talked to the beach. The Ducks determined that Quenneville continues to do the necessary work to learn how to learn from the mistakes of 2010.

"Over the past two weeks, we have interviewed many excellent coaching candidates, while also conducting a comprehensive review of what happened when Joel was head coaching the Blackhawks in 2010," GM Pat Verbeek said in a statement. "We spoke with dozens of people, including advocates for positive changes in hockey and advocates for NHL leadership, officially cleared Joel in the league in July last year. Our findings are consistent with Joel's statement, who said that he was not fully aware of the seriousness of what happened in 2010, and it was clear that Joel was not interested in coaching."

Anaheim is looking for a coach after Greg Cronin's sack after Greg Cronin's second season. Despite an improvement of 21 points in 2024-25, the Ducks have not made the playoffs in seven seasons.

Sources said David Carle conducted a long two-day interview with the Ducks before bowing to sign the extension at the University of Denver. The Duck reached out to Mike Sullivan but never interviewed him because the long-time Pittsburgh Penguin coach chose the New York Rangers. Sources say Jay Woodcroft and Rick Tocchet are two other candidates left by the Duck when he hired Quenneville.

Quenneville, 66, ranked second in the NHL with 969 regular season wins in the NHL, with Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Blackhawks and Panthers ranked second. Quenneville led Chicago to three Stanley Cups.