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'Awesome' news for Chicago Blackhawks' Quenneville

Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville on Thursday was named as one of the assistants for Team Canada for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock was named head coach. The other assistants are the Boston Bruins' Claude Julien, the Carolina Hurricanes' Bill Peters and the Washington Capitals' Barry Trotz.

Quenneville said Tuesday that he would consider it "the thrill of a lifetime" if he were named. Quenneville, who will run the defense, reportedly was given strong consideration to be the head coach.

Jonathan Toews told ESPN's Pierre LeBrun that Quenneville's appointment is "pretty awesome. If there's someone that's deserving that hasn't had the opportunity it's probably Q with what he's done with our team the last number of years and the success we've had.

"He's established himself as one of the most successful coaches in the NHL and the history of the game. I think for a Canadian, whether you're a player or coach, that's the ultimate level is either to go to the Olympics or World Cup on that international stage. I'm super happy he's getting the chance to do that."

At a news conference to announce the staff, Babcock said he told Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong, "We want Q for sure."

Babcock has won a pair of Olympic gold medals coaching Canada in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.

Quenneville is the third-winningest coach in NHL history with 761 regular-season victories and also has the third-most playoff wins (115). Scotty Bowman and Al Arbour are 1-2 in both categories.

Hartman reassigned:

West Dundee native Ryan Hartman was reassigned to Rockford on Thursday. He assisted on Marko Dano's goal during the Hawks' 6-5 overtime loss to St. Louis on Wednesday at the United Center.

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