Latest news with #Blackhawks'
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Known for his pitching, West Aurora's Zach Toma takes his hitting to whole nother level. ‘Just feeling confident.'
West Aurora's Zach Toma is best known for his pitching, and rightfully so. The junior left-hander has been one of the area's breakout stars this season. What casual observers may not realize is he has also become the Blackhawks' leading hitter this spring. So, bring on the spotlight in the batter's box. 'I really wanted to be the guy up in that situation,' Toma said. 'I felt like I was seeing the ball really well, and I kind of felt like he was going to throw me a curveball in that situation. 'I got it and didn't miss it.' Indeed, Toma's two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning Wednesday was the difference in a 5-3 victory over Neuqua Valley in a Class 4A Waubonsie Valley Regional semifinal in Aurora. Toma also settled in on the mound after his big hit and finished off a complete-game win for the Blackhawks (27-7), who will play at 11 a.m. Saturday for the regional title against the semifinal winner between Naperville Central (19-11) and Waubonsie Valley (14-12). While Toma struck out six and allowed three runs, two earned, on three his and two walks, Braiden Williams came through with a pinch-hit, two-run single in the fourth to tie the game. Henry Hinkle and Eliseo Liscano added two hits apiece for West Aurora. Colton Maita doubled and scored for Neuqua (13-17-1). But the big double by Toma loomed large in the end. 'I expected it out of him,' West Aurora coach John Reeves said. 'He's been great with the bat in his hands. He can do it both ways, on the mound and at the plate.' That's true on both accounts. Offensively, Toma leads the team with 46 RBIs. As far as the pitching part of the equation goes, Toma improved his record to 7-2 with a 1.07 ERA. Reeves credited a program-wide mandate to increase time in the weight room as helping with that process. Mason Atkins and Toma, two football players, took it to heart the most. 'They spent a lot of time in the weight room, which I think shows,' Reeves said. 'Especially with guys like Mason and Zach.' Toma cited several factors for his offensive breakout, including switching travel teams and reworking his swing. The biggest factor, he agreed, came in the weight room. 'The strength part of it especially, we lift all the time,' Toma said. 'We lift in season. In past years, I haven't lifted in season. This year, that's been a huge difference-maker with my strength. 'Just feeling confident up there. Our coaches pushed the whole team into the weight room. And then Mason, he's always getting on me about lifting after practice, so it helps.' Toma's offense was needed after he got off to an uncharacteristically shaky start on the mound. Through 3 1/3 innings Wednesday, he trailed 3-1. He retired the final two batters of the fourth to get out of a jam, however. After his double, he retired Neuqua's final nine hitters in order. 'The beginning of the game, I wasn't getting that first-pitch strike down,' Toma said. 'Then toward the end, I really started to get that pitch down. 'Getting that first-pitch strike is huge, man. Then you have every pitch in your arsenal to throw.' Toma's heroics were set up by Williams' clutch hit, which helped the Blackhawks catch their collective breath. 'It felt really good to help the team out and win this game,' Williams said. 'That just raised our confidence and helped us.' It's always nerve-racking to be in a close game in a one-and-done scenario, but Toma was unfazed. He hopes that paves the way to the program's first regional title since 2006. 'It got me nervous a little bit, but to be honest, we had so much time left and I have a lot of confidence in our hitters,' Toma said. 'I knew we'd come through and scrap out some runs.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ducks hire Joel Quenneville as next head coach after 2021 resignation amid Blackhawks scandal
This article contains alleged depictions of sexual assault. Four years after he resigned from the Florida Panthers amid a sexual assault investigation involving his former team, Joel Quenneville is back in the NHL. Quenneville has been hired as the Anaheim Ducks' next head coach, the team announced Thursday. The news comes less than a year after Quenneville was reinstated by the NHL following his resignation from the Panthers in 2021. Quenneville resigned as the team's head coach after the NHL launched an investigation into claims Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted a player in 2010. Quenneville served as the Blackhawks' head coach from 2008-19, when the alleged assault reportedly occurred. An independent investigation into those claims found that Quenneville — as well as multiple members of the Blackhawks' front office — were aware of the allegations against Aldrich, but declined to take action until three weeks after those allegations came to light within the organization. Prior to the independent investigation's findings, Quenneville claimed he was unaware of the alleged assault. 'Over the last two weeks, we conducted interviews with many outstanding coaching candidates, while simultaneously conducting a comprehensive review of what took place while Joel was head coach of the Blackhawks in 2010," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. "We spoke with dozens of individuals, including advocates for positive change in hockey and leadership of the NHL, which last July officially cleared Joel to seek employment in the league. Our findings are consistent with Joel's account that he was not fully aware of the severity of what transpired in 2010. It is clear that Joel deeply regrets not following up with more questions at the time, has demonstrated meaningful personal growth and accountability, and has earned the opportunity to return to coaching." NEWS: We're proud to announce Joel Quenneville as our new head coach! He becomes the 12th head coach in franchise history. Read More ⬇️ — Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) May 8, 2025 A statement from Quenneville read, in part, "In nearly four years away from the game, I have learned from my prior mistakes and realized it will be actions over words that demonstrate my commitment to being a better leader.' The Blackhawks were in the midst of a playoff run at the time of the incidents, and team executives reportedly did not want to invite negative publicity during the postseason. The Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup that season. It was the team's first championship in nearly 50 years. The investigation also found another instance of sexual assault involving Aldrich and a player allegedly occurred during the three-week window in which members of the team knew about the allegations surrounding Aldrich, but did not report them to the Blackhawks' human resources department. At the time that report was released, Quenneville was in his third season as the Panthers' head coach. A day after the investigation's findings were released, Quenneville coached the Panthers, sparking outrage from fans and others in the hockey world. The next day, Quenneville resigned. Following Quenneville's resignation, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he would need to meet with the coach before he could hold another job in the NHL. In July 2024, Quenneville — along with other members of the Blackhawks' front office, including general manager Stan Bowman — was reinstated by the league. Just after being reinstated, Bowman was hired as the Edmonton Oilers' general manager. Shortly after the independent investigation findings came to light, former Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach came forward as the player who was reportedly assaulted by Aldrich. At the time, Beach, who was selected by the team in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft, claimed many within the organization were aware of the alleged abuse. Multiple former Blackhawks players and staff members said they, and the team, were aware of the reported abuse. Following the team's 2010 Stanley Cup win, the Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup in both 2013 and 2015. All three championships came under Quenneville. After a slow start to open the 2018-19 NHL season, the Blackhawks fired Quenneville. He joined the Panthers the following year and put up a 79-40 record with the franchise before his resignation. In 2014, Aldrich was sentenced to nine months in jail after reportedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old hockey player in Michigan. His name was removed from the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup in 2021.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ducks hire Joel Quenneville as next head coach after 2021 resignation amid Blackhawks scandal
This article contains alleged depictions of sexual assault. Four years after he resigned from the Florida Panthers amid a sexual assault investigation involving his former team, Joel Quenneville is back in the NHL. Quenneville has been hired as the Anaheim Ducks' next head coach, the team announced Thursday. The news comes less than a year after Quenneville was reinstated by the NHL following his resignation from the Panthers in 2021. Quenneville resigned as the team's head coach after the NHL launched an investigation into claims Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted a player in 2010. Quenneville served as the Blackhawks' head coach from 2008-19, when the alleged assault reportedly occurred. An independent investigation into those claims found that Quenneville — as well as multiple members of the Blackhawks' front office — were aware of the allegations against Aldrich, but declined to take action until three weeks after those allegations came to light within the organization. Prior to the independent investigation's findings, Quenneville claimed he was unaware of the alleged assault. 'Over the last two weeks, we conducted interviews with many outstanding coaching candidates, while simultaneously conducting a comprehensive review of what took place while Joel was head coach of the Blackhawks in 2010," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. "We spoke with dozens of individuals, including advocates for positive change in hockey and leadership of the NHL, which last July officially cleared Joel to seek employment in the league. Our findings are consistent with Joel's account that he was not fully aware of the severity of what transpired in 2010. It is clear that Joel deeply regrets not following up with more questions at the time, has demonstrated meaningful personal growth and accountability, and has earned the opportunity to return to coaching." NEWS: We're proud to announce Joel Quenneville as our new head coach! He becomes the 12th head coach in franchise history. Read More ⬇️ — Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) May 8, 2025 A statement from Quenneville read, in part, "In nearly four years away from the game, I have learned from my prior mistakes and realized it will be actions over words that demonstrate my commitment to being a better leader.' The Blackhawks were in the midst of a playoff run at the time of the incidents, and team executives reportedly did not want to invite negative publicity during the postseason. The Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup that season. It was the team's first championship in nearly 50 years. The investigation also found another instance of sexual assault involving Aldrich and a player allegedly occurred during the three-week window in which members of the team knew about the allegations surrounding Aldrich, but did not report them to the Blackhawks' human resources department. At the time that report was released, Quenneville was in his third season as the Panthers' head coach. A day after the investigation's findings were released, Quenneville coached the Panthers, sparking outrage from fans and others in the hockey world. The next day, Quenneville resigned. Following Quenneville's resignation, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he would need to meet with the coach before he could hold another job in the NHL. In July 2024, Quenneville — along with other members of the Blackhawks' front office, including general manager Stan Bowman — was reinstated by the league. Just after being reinstated, Bowman was hired as the Edmonton Oilers' general manager. Shortly after the independent investigation findings came to light, former Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach came forward as the player who was reportedly assaulted by Aldrich. At the time, Beach, who was selected by the team in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft, claimed many within the organization were aware of the alleged abuse. Multiple former Blackhawks players and staff members said they, and the team, were aware of the reported abuse. Following the team's 2010 Stanley Cup win, the Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup in both 2013 and 2015. All three championships came under Quenneville. After a slow start to open the 2018-19 NHL season, the Blackhawks fired Quenneville. He joined the Panthers the following year and put up a 79-40 record with the franchise before his resignation. In 2014, Aldrich was sentenced to nine months in jail after reportedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old hockey player in Michigan. His name was removed from the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup in 2021.
Edmonton Journal
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Joel Quenneville hired by Anaheim Ducks for 1st head coaching job since Blackhawks abuse scandal
Article content Quenneville's reputation and career were badly damaged by his role in the Blackhawks' handling of the accusations against Aldrich. After four seasons out of the sport, the 13-year NHL defenseman is getting another chance behind the bench — this time with a franchise in the middle of a lengthy rebuilding process. Quenneville takes over a team that has missed the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons, the third-longest active absence in the NHL. Anaheim finished sixth in the Pacific Division this season at 35-37-10 after being in the bottom two for the previous four consecutive years. He replaces Greg Cronin, who was surprisingly fired by Verbeek at the conclusion of his second season in charge. Cronin led the Ducks to a 21-point improvement in his second season, but Verbeek changed course for reasons he declined to reveal when he announced the firing. While announcing the change, Verbeek said he expects the Ducks to make the playoffs next season. That's a pronouncement that the first-time GM had never made during his 3 1/2 years in charge of owner Henry Samueli's franchise. And Quenneville has plenty of experience in getting teams to the postseason. His teams have made 20 Stanley Cup playoff appearances, reaching the postseason in all but two of the 22 seasons he finished. Quenneville inherits a team with an ample stock of young talent. The roster includes No. 2 overall pick Leo Carlsson, No. 3 overall picks Mason McTavish and Beckett Sennecke, promising forward Cutter Gauthier, rising defensemen Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov, and several veteran forwards, including two-time All-Star Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ducks to hire Joel Quenneville as next head coach after 2021 resignation amid Blackhawks scandal: Reports
Content warning: This article contains alleged depictions of sexual assault. Four years after he resigned from the Florida Panthers amid a sexual-assault investigation involving his former team, Joel Quenneville is back in the NHL. Quenneville will reportedly become Anaheim Ducks' next head coach, according to multiple reports. The news comes less than a year after Quenneville was reinstated by the NHL following his resignation from the Panthers in 2021. Quenneville resigned as the team's head coach after the NHL launched an investigation into claims Chicago Blackhawks' video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted a player in 2010. Quenneville served as the Blackhawks' head coach from 2008 to 2019, when the alleged assault reportedly occurred. An independent investigation into those claims found that Quenneville — as well as multiple members of the Blackhawks' front office — were aware of the allegations against Aldrich, but declined to take action until three weeks after those allegations came to light within the organization. Prior to the independent investigation's findings, Quenneville claimed he was unaware of the alleged assault. The Blackhawks were in the midst of a playoff run at the time, and team executives reportedly did not want to invite negative publicity during the postseason. The Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup that season. It was the team's first championship in nearly 50 years. The investigation also found that another instance of sexual assault involving Aldrich and a player allegedly occurred during the three-week window in which members of the team knew about the allegations surrounding Aldrich, but did not report them to the Blackhawks' human resources department. At the time that report was released, Quenneville was in his third season as the Panthers' head coach. A day after the investigation's findings were released, Quenneville coached the Panthers, sparking outrage from fans and others in the hockey world. The next day, Quenneville resigned. Following Quenneville's resignation, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he would need to meet with the coach before he could hold another job in the NHL. In July 2024, Quenneville — along with other members of the Blackhawks' front office, including general manager Stan Bowman — was reinstated by the league. Just after being reinstated, Bowman was hired as the Edmonton Oilers' general manager. Shortly after the independent investigation findings came to light, former Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach came forward as the player who was reportedly assaulted by Aldrich. At the time, Beach — who was selected by the team in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft — claimed many within the organization were aware of the alleged abuse. Multiple former Blackhawks players and staff members said they — and the team — were aware of the reported abuse. Following the team's 2010 Stanley Cup win, the Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup in both 2013 and 2015. All three championships came under Quenneville. After a slow start to open the 2018-19 NHL season, the Blackhawks fired Quenneville. He joined the Panthers the following year, and put up a 79-40 record with the franchise before his resignation. In 2014, Aldrich was sentenced to nine months in jail after reportedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old hockey player in Michigan. His name was removed from the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup in 2021.
