NHL reinstates Joel Quenneville, Stan Bowman and Al MacIsaac

The NHL has announced that Joel Quenneville, Stan Bowman and Al MacIsaac have been reinstated by the league and can be hired again after July 10.

The trio were deemed ineligible to work in the NHL after the Kyle Beach scandal that became public during the 2021-22 season. Bowman resigned as general manager of the Blackhawks and Quenneville stepped down as head coach of the Florida Panthers early that season in the wake of revelations that they failed to act appropriately after former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich allegedly sexually assaulted Beach, a “Black Ace”, during the team’s run to the 2010 Stanley Cup.

“While it is clear that, at the time, their responses were unacceptable, each of these three individuals (Messrs. Bowman, MacIsaac and Quenneville) has acknowledged that and used his time away from the game to engage in activities which, not only demonstrates 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,” a league release said.

“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.”

According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Bowman will become a top candidate to become the next GM of the Edmonton Oilers after the team moved on from Ken Holland.

The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, and again in 2013 and 2015. Quenneville was fired on Nov. 6, 2018 before working for three years with the Florida Panthers, while Bowman had been with the Blackhawks in some form from 2005-21.