Chicago Blackhawks Joel Quenneville Loves Winning

Success in the Playoffs

The Chicago Blackhawks currently have the 3rd longest playoff streak in the NHL, and will most likely extend it to 10 seasons this year. They’ve made the conference final five times. Out of those five conference finals, the Hawks have made the Stanley Cup Final three times. All three times they’ve made the final, they won the whole thing. And in a Western Conference that’s been extremely competitive, the Hawks are right up there with the best of the best.

Quenneville plays a huge role in the Blackhawks’ playoff success. He knows how to use his key players, and make stars out of those who maybe aren’t. His teams are always strong, but fast. Their ability to score goals, normally from the likes of Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, is quite possibly their strength. Goaltending has also played a huge factor in the success, as well. Corey Crawford can shut down games in the playoffs, and the duo of him and Scott Darling is far and away one of the best in the league.

The Blackhawks normally make moves at the trade deadline, but they’re usually only depth acquisitions, or “just in case” moves. General Manager Stan Bowman knows Q can make use of whatever he’s given, and put the best lineup out on the ice night after night. The Blackhawks are deep with playoff performers. Captain Jonathan Toews has 108 points (39 goals, 69 assists), in 124 playoff games. Marian Hossa ranks 28th all time in playoff points (149). Patrick Kane has 121 points (49 goals, 72 assists) in 123 playoff games. And those are just a few of the many players that helped lead the Hawks to three Stanley Cups.

Q’s ability to utilize his players, and make them play to the best of their ability is unlike any other coach in the NHL. They thrive and shine while playing for him. It’s something you don’t notice very often with other head coaches in the league.

Good Guy Joel Quenneville

When Q came to Chicago to coach the Blackhawks, players were devastated that Hawks legend Denis Savard had been let go, especially Toews and Kane. He was the only head coach they’d had during their time with the team, and it was a weird feeling for them. But Quenneville tried to make the situation as comfortable for them as possible. He knew this was a tight-knit group, and the only way to earn their trust was with success.

All these years later, the Blackhawks wouldn’t want it any other way.

“When Joel came in, he immediately brought in that presence and that experience,” Toews said in 2014. “He slowly … had his own effect on our team. We had some great success that year even with an inexperienced team and we’ve just been getting better and better ever since.”

Fellow teammate Patrick Kane credited Quenneville for his growth as a player throughout the years. And as a fan, I’ve taken notice in Kane’s change in play. Of course, he’s one of the best scoring forwards in the game. But he’s been reliable defensively, too, developing into more of a two-way forward than he ever thought he’d be.

“(Quenneville’s) a special coach,” Kane said. “He obviously knows a lot about our team and how to deal with us. He’s very smart. He’s got a great feel for our team, who to put on the ice and when and if someone is going or not going. He’s a pleasure to have around here. We’re lucky.”

When Q earned a three-year contract extension in 2016, GM Stan Bowman praised him and all the things he’s done with the Blackhawks.

“We’ve got a great situation going here,” Bowman stated. “Fortunate to have Joel on board and he’s been a huge part of what we’ve accomplished as a group. There’s no one more you want behind the bench than Joel.”

Bowman has also credited Quenneville for knowing how to make adjustments as a coach. He can find ways to pin the best against the best in all situations, creating the best scenario for his team to win games.

When you’re a head coach in the NHL, you want to have success. But you also want to be approachable in most ways, and develop the players in front of you to reach that level of success. Continuity is also important, and Quenneville has now been behind the bench for the Blackhawks for nine season, and hopefully there will be many more to come. He’s shown how great of a coach he can be, but also how great of a guy he is, as well.

Joel Quenneville currently sits second all-time in wins (839) as a head coach in the NHL, only behind another great, Scotty Bowman. All in all, he’s one of the best in the game. Blackhawks fans might argue he is the best coach in the National Hockey League. No matter what your opinion is, as a fan of the sport, the least you can do is have respect for Quenneville’s success, especially with the Chicago Blackhawks.