The Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and head coach Joel Quenneville have agreed to a three-year contract extension through the conclusion of the 2013-14 season.
''This is an exciting day for my family and I. Chicago is a place we are proud to call home and the Blackhawks organization is one we feel fortunate to be a part of,'' said Quenneville. ''Winning the Stanley Cup was a special season for all of us involved and I am looking forward to more opportunities in the years to come.''
Quenneville is entering his third season with the Blackhawks after being named the 37th head coach in franchise history on October 16, 2008. Under his guidance the organization captured the 2010 Stanley Cup, Chicago's first since 1949.
''Having Joel on board for the future was always a top priority for us as an organization,'' said vice president and general manager Stan Bowman. ''His winning attitude is contagious with our players and support staff and I am confident his contract extension will help solidify the Blackhawks as an elite team on the ice for years to come.''
In Quenneville's 160 regular-season games as Blackhawks head coach, the team has compiled a record of 97-44-19. His regular-season points percentage of .666 is the best in Chicago franchise history, while his .641 postseason winning percentage (25-14) is the highest for a Blackhawks coach since 1940.
Over parts of 13 seasons as a head coach in the National Hockey League, the Windsor, Ontario, native has posted a 535-327-137 record that includes seven full seasons with the St. Louis Blues (1996-2004) and three with the Colorado Avalanche (2005-08). Entering the 2010-11 campaign, his 535 regular-season wins rank 11th overall in National Hockey League history, and third among active coaches.
Quenneville became the 14th head coach in NHL history to win 500 games when he guided Chicago to a 4-3 shootout win over Columbus on Dec. 1, 2009. His 999 games behind the bench as a head coach ranks fourth among active bench bosses. He has guided 11 of his 13 teams to the postseason, which includes reaching at least the second round on eight occasions.
