Emma: History Will Remember Joel Quenneville Among Hockey's Greatest
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The mere presence of Joel Quenneville commands respect in Chicago. His reputation rightfully precedes him.
Quenneville's now tied with Al Arbour for second on the all-time wins list with 782 victories in his coaching career after the Blackhawks' 3-2 defeat of the Predators on Tuesday night at the United Center. On the day he inked a three-year extension to stay in Chicago through 2020, Quenneville stamped his spot in elite company.
"It's very special," Quenneville said. "I'm honored and feel fortunate."
Loud chants filled the United Center in salute of the Blackhawks' bench boss. He showed a rare regular-season smile as the sellout crowd expressed its appreciation. Caught in the moment, Quenneville couldn't help but to enjoy what he accomplished.
What Quenneville has done in his outstanding coaching career is a standard of its own in Chicago. He has brought three championships in six seasons to a hockey city rebuilt. Quenneville has guided the Blackhawks' remarkable core to Cup contention each season.
Twice pushed aside as a head coach, once by the Blues and again by the Avalanche, Quenneville came to Chicago in October 2008 and has cemented his place as one of the greatest of all time.
Accolades summarize what Quenneville has become during his eight seasons in Chicago. For the Blackhawks, their coach's greatness is defined not only by the feats but in the way he makes them better -- the little things that happen each day of the long, grueling season.
"He has a great understanding for what the team needs," Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said. "He's obviously been around the league for a long time, as a player and a coach. He knows when to give guys days off and he knows when to push buttons on some certain guys. He knows how to read the group and he's also good at getting everything out of the players, the team."
Often times, the Blackhawks can seem maddening from the outside and to a fan base spoiled with success. That can be said for Quenneville, too.
But the Blackhawks always find a way to click at the right time. They've reeled off eight in a row and are now two points shy of the Stars for first place in the Western Conference.
Don't be surprised when Chicago is in position for another run at the Stanley Cup this summer. For a franchise annually fighting salary cap restrictions, Quenneville's management methods have made team transition to a championship level seem routine.
"His management of the players, the game, all that stuff, is world class," Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook said.
Quenneville's tactics shouldn't be questioned after 782 wins. There's a method to his madness, whether it's sending a message with a healthy scratch of jumbling his lines in unpredictable ways. Quenneville knows when to light the proverbial fire and when to ease up.
Inside that Blackhawks locker room, there's never a doubt in what Quenneville is doing.
"He has a good feel for our locker room -- when we need to bear down and get kicked in the butt, and when we need some rest," Seabrook said. "He's great that way."
The United Center crowd stayed standing after the hard-fought win over the division rivals from Nashville. Rather than returning to the locker room, Quenneville stayed on the home bench for a postgame interview to salute the Blackhawks' loyal fans back.
When Quenneville took over in 2008, the Blackhawks weren't a modern hockey dynasty. It was an organization with incredible promise that was searching for its identity. The United Center was rarely filled with fans. Quenneville brought Chicago something truly spectacular.
"It's been a special place here in Chicago for us," Quenneville said. "We've had a lot of success. Great group, right on through from Rocky on down through the organization. It's been eight great years. It's been a great run."
The only man with more than 782 wins works in the Blackhawks organization as a senior advisor. The legendary Scotty Bowman won 1,244 games and the Stanley Cup nine times -- part of 14 championships during his career as a player, coach and executive.
When his time in hockey is done, Quenneville will be remembered in the company of Bowman, Arbour and the game's greats. That reputation has become simply extraordinary.
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
