Update On Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville

Added on Feb 17, 2011 by J Merrill in

NHL

As I reported yesterday on Sprotsbettingworld.com Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville was admitted to the hospital, and missed last nights win over the Minnesota Wild. Today team Doctor Terry martin released a statement regard Coach Q’s status. The statement read “Joel was originally admitted to the hospital early Wednesday morning due to gastrointestinal bleeding. He has been stabilized and today the cause of the bleeding was determined to be a small ulcer caused by aspirin. He is resting comfortably at the hospital and we anticipate him to make a full recovery and to be released in the next few days. At the appropriate time, we will update everyone regarding his release from the hospital and return to the Blackhawks bench.”

Assistant Coach Mike Haviland took the reigns in his absence. This morning he told the media “I talked to Q late last night. We talked about the game. He watched the majority of it. He was very pleased and very happy about the game. I know he has some tests today, but he was in really good spirits, joking and laughing on the phone. It was good to hear.” Until today, we knew very little about Quenneville’s condition, and it was a relief to hear some of the players talk about being in contact with him.

The win came at a good time, as the Minnesota Wild are neck and neck with the Hawks, and the season is running out quick. Patrick Kane thought the same thing, and said he had had a chance to talk to Quenneville as well. He said “It’s not a good thing that Joel’s going through what he’s going through, but we can kind of rally behind him. We can kind of come together as a team here. It’s an important time of the year. Games are running out and we need to win, so I thought the way we responded without him was a huge step forward.” Kane said of Haivland’s job “It’s a little weird not having Coach behind the bench. Havy did a really good job. I think a lot of guys thought he did a really good job. You want your main guy behind the bench. … We’ll get him back real soon.”

Patrick Sharp said from experience, that it was good to hear from members of the team when he was away from the team with injuries. He said “Been in that position before, where you’re away from the team, and just to hear from guys in the organization is a good feeling. Hopefully it lifted his spirits. I know he was happy with how we finished the game off in the last two periods. He’s always got something to say about the game.”

It is unclear as to when Coach Quenneville will be able to be back behind the bench. The Blackhawks will face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night at home at the United Center.