From the Colorado Avalanche:
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that Joel Quenneville will not return to coach the team next season.
“After meeting with Joel, we mutually agreed that the best decision for both parties involved is to go separate ways,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President & General Manager Francois Giguere. “On behalf of the organization, I want to thank Joel for his years of service and wish him the best in his coaching career.”
Update 2:02pm ET: Previously noted on KK—Rick Sadowski at the Rocky Mountain News saw this coming yesterday.
Update 2:36pm ET: As a commenter noted below, my saying that Quenneville was fired was an inaccurate way of posting this news. In truth, his contract was up and simply not renewed.
added 4:19pm (Paul), from Adam Proteau of The Hockey News,
Quenneville, who won the NHL’s Jack Adams Trophy as top coach for 1999-00, will undoubtedly be in the running for bench boss openings in Ottawa, Toronto, Florida and Atlanta. He’ll almost certainly find work by the beginning of next season, as he wasn’t seen to be the primary problem with an injury-riddled roster still a couple years away from true Cup contention.
Update 7:11pm: Patrick Roy for the job, anyone?
It’s not really fired. His contract was up and they parted ways rather than offer an extension. I don’t think he was happy in Colorado and I don’t think management was happy with him. He was essentially waived…
Posted by Mike at MHH on 05/09 at 02:33 PM