Former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, GM Stan Bowman reinstated by NHL

(670 The Score) Former Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville and general manager Stan Bowman have been reinstated for employment by the NHL, the league announced Monday.

Quenneville and Bowman had been banned by the NHL since October 2021, when they lost their jobs due to what the league called their "inadequate" response to allegations that former Blackhawks player Kyle Beach had been sexually assaulted by a member of the organization in 2010. Former Blackhawks vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac was also reinstated Monday.

Quenneville led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships during his tenure in Chicago, which lasted from 2008-'19. He then went on to coach the Florida Panthers before resigning from that job in October 2021 as more information emerged about the Blackhawks' scandal. Quenneville is second on the NHL's all-time wins list for head coaches.

Bowman served as the Blackhawks' general manager from 2009-'21, guiding the team to its three championships from the front office. He resigned following the findings of an independent investigation into Beach's allegations, which highlighted how Quenneville and Bowman failed in their responses.

"While it is clear that, at the time, their responses were unacceptable, each of these three individuals has acknowledged that and used his time away from the game to engage in activities which not only demonstrate sincere remorse for what happened but also evidence greater awareness of the responsibilities that all NHL personnel have, particularly personnel who are in positions of leadership," the NHL wrote in its statement of reinstatement.

"Moreover, each has made significant strides in personal improvement by participating in myriad programs, many of which focused on the imperative of responding in effective and meaningful ways to address alleged acts of abuse. The league expects that they will continue this commitment in any future capacity with the NHL and/or one of our clubs."

Quenneville, Bowman and MacIsaac are eligible to enter into employment in the NHL beginning on July 10.