The Anaheim Ducks announced former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville as the new head coach of the team. Anaheim had gone through a long search, but landed on Quenneville to lead them forward.

This was a controversial hiring by the Ducks, with many fans disagreeing with the decision. Quenneville was part of the 2010 scandal with the Blackhawks that covered up a sexual assault claim from a former player about a former video coach.

The veteran head coach was away from the game for a few years, but was reinstated by the NHL last summer. Other teams inquired about Quenneville, but the Ducks were the team to take the chance on him.

During the introductory press conference, Quenneville gave a statement about the entire situation. 

“It’s a new day and I’m going to learn more about myself and learn how to handle situations we went through,” Quenneville said Thursday. “What survivors have gone through.

“Been a long time since I went to an NHL game, but the first game I went to in almost four years was Anaheim played in Tampa Bay (on Jan. 14). I hadn’t seen Tampa live in a long time, but I certainly hadn’t seen much of Anaheim, and I watched the game and I was really impressed at the pace of the game and the skill and the speed that Anaheim had, and they’re only kids. It was a great game to watch. They lost in overtime, but I was surprised and I was impressed.”

When Quenneville does step foot on the bench next season, it will be his first time since Oct. 2021. The former multi-time Stanley Cup-winning coach has a lot of work to do, both on and off the ice.

Some fans may never accept him being back in the NHL, but the Ducks believe he deserves the chance. Quenneville will now be tasked with helping a young team try to get back to the postseason.

Related: Fans React to Ducks Controversial Hire of Joel Quenneville