He’s back—and not for just any game. Three-time Stanley Cup champion coach Joel Quenneville is back behind the Anaheim Ducks’ bench after almost four seasons out of the game. The Ducks are entrusting their playoff ambitions to a coach who has done it all.

The hiring became official on May 8, 2025, with the Ducks set to unveil Quenneville at a press conference soon. As Gary Bettman ended his ban on Quenneville from the NHL back in 2024, Anaheim did not lose any time signing one of the NHL’s most decorated bench managers. They have not made the postseason since 2018—and they’re not willing to wait anymore.

For Quenneville, it is not just a comeback. It is a redemption story, full of anticipation, pressure, and eyes on him at all times.

Joel Quenneville’s road: From grizzled D-man to iconic coach

In 1978, Quenneville was drafted by the Maple Leafs with the 21st overall choice, a solid, no-nonsense blueliner who compensated with hard, old-fashioned toughness for lack of goal production. His NHL career extended for more than 800 games with five franchises. He wasn’t a flash, but he was a steady keeper—the kind of player that every coach dreams about.

When his playing days were over in ’92, coaching wasn’t so much the next step—it was truly a calling for him. He gained experience as an AHL player-coach, then ascended to NHL assistant spots with the Nordiques and the Avalanche. By 1997, Joel Quenneville was the Blues’ head coach and led them to seven consecutive postseasons.

But it was in Chicago that Quenneville became “Coach Q.” Three championships from 2010 to 2015. Postseason appearances annually. A dynasty with Kane and Toews. His 969 regular-season victories are second on the list—behind only the iconic Scotty Bowman. However, his legacy was derailed in 2021.

Scandal, fallout, and a hard pause

An investigation into the Blackhawks’ 2010 Stanley Cup run uncovered the team had mishandled harassment claims made by Kyle Beach against video coach Brad Aldrich. Joel Quenneville, who was the Hawks’ head coach at the time, was found not to have acted accordingly.

Quenneville quit the Florida Panthers just days after the story broke. The NHL made it quite clear—no comeback without Gary Bettman’s approval. Quenneville avoided the game, engaging in advocacy and education work, until July 2024, when he was reinstated.

More than a new voice, the Ducks required credibility, experience, and success. Subsequent to dismissing Greg Cronin, Anaheim tried other avenues but repeatedly came back around to Quenneville. They interviewed him first.

Sources indicate that the Ducks went far with their vetting. They interviewed Kyle Beach. They reached out to advocacy groups. They did not want to get it wrong. GM Pat Verbeek outlined the team’s objective for 2026 clearly: make the damn playoffs.

With players like Leo Carlsson, Trevor Zegras, and Mason McTavish and veterans John Gibson and Troy Terry, Anaheim seems poised for success. They only lack the right guy to take them there.

Roster possibilities met with veteran expectations

No sugarcoating it – the Ducks are brimming with talented youth. They’ve only had a problem transforming that into success, though. They went on a 21-point jump last season but fell just short.

Quenneville enters a hungry, restless, but full-of-potential locker room now. Add to that the young core and players like Alex Killorn and Jacob Trouba, who provide stability. The foundation is present, but someone needs to put the puzzle together. And the fans are not just hoping for improvement. They want playoff appearances. They want to win. They want swagger. The pressure on “Coach Q” is astronomical from Day 1.

Let’s call things like they are—this comeback won’t be measured on the standings alone. Quenneville needs to lead with integrity, be a straight communicator, and restore trust with players, fans, and the league. His history won’t go away, but what he does with the present might redefine the story.

He has the resume. He has the roster. Now he has the spotlight.

This is not simply about Anaheim breaking a playoff dry spell. It is about whether or not Joel Quenneville, after all, has a final chapter to write that earns respect—not only as a coach, but also as a leader. Anaheim did not take the safe road. They went with the coach with the hardware—and the publicity. Back with them is Joel Quenneville, and also with him is pressure, potential, and a ton of attention.

What happens from there is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain: the Ducks won’t be flying under the radar any longer. Everybody is watching Orange County for the 2026 campaign. And that is precisely what they desire.