After 10+ years as the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, Joel Quenneville has been fired.
It’s the end of an era. The end of a dynasty that brought the city 3 Stanley Cups. And the end of one mean Stache.
He will be replaced by Jeremy Colliton, a 33-year-old former NHLer who was in his second season as head coach of the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate. With his hiring, Colliton becomes the youngest coach in the NHL. So basically, he’s the NHL version of LA Rams head coach Sean McVay (well, at least the Hawks are hoping he turns out that way).
Now normally, I’d be sappy and sentimental Coach Q being fired after all he’s done for Hawks fans. But I must say, I’m fucking pissed.
All this shit going down with the team is due to the shitheap that has been created by one man: Stan Bowman.
Big Plan Stan has used his last scapegoat for why the Hawks team he’s built has done dogshit the past two seasons. He got rid of a guy everyone in Chicago loves and is chucking a Hail Mary in hopes to salvage the season and most importantly – his job.
Mr. Bowman better hope this works out because his time may be coming. Chicago and its fans don’t have much more time for this BS.
You know what else they don’t have time for? Getting rid of Niklas Hjalmarsson when you need defensive stability. Shipping off Ryan Hartman and Vinnie Hinostroza when you need promising young talent. And let us not forget…getting rid of our favorite Russian and Patrick Kane’s best bud, Artemi Panarin.
I’m pissed off, sad and angry. But I’m still here for our boys. I hope Jeremy Colliton does bring some Sean McVay-like energy to this struggling team and I sure as fuck hope it works out.
This isn’t right for Joel Quenneville though. The man deserved better than this.
Happy trails, Coach Q. The city of Chicago loves you and will miss you.
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-Kurbs
Featured Image: Edited Photo from NHL.com