United Center ready to Q it up for returning 'icon'
When one thinks back upon the thousands of regular-season Blackhawks games that have been played at the Chicago Stadium and the United Center, there are certainly plenty that have been cemented in fans' minds.
• There was Stan Mikita scoring his 500th goal on Feb. 27, 1977, and his jersey retirement ceremony on Oct. 19, 1980.
• An incredible OT win in the season finale over Toronto that gave the Hawks a playoff berth on April 2, 1989.
• Mikita and Bobby Hull being honored on March 7, 2008, as the Hawks finally reopened the doors to the franchise's past icons.
• Patrick Kane breaking Hull's franchise record for longest point streak when he batted a puck to Artemi Panarin in the waning seconds of their victory over Winnipeg on Dec. 6, 2015.
• Kane mocking Toronto's Auston Matthews' hand-to-the-ear routine seconds after scoring the game-tying goal on Oct. 7, 2018.
Now, incredibly, fans lucky enough to see Kane's 1,000th career point Sunday against the Jets are about to witness another game they'll never forget Tuesday when Joel Quenneville returns for the first time as an opposing coach.
"Another great night," Kane said after the Hawks' 5-2 victory over Winnipeg. "I'm sure he'll get a warm reception."
Apologies to Kane, but that might be the understatement of the century.
Fans figure to bellow "Quuuuuuuu!" multiple times during what will be an emotional night for anyone who was around during Quenneville's 10-plus years behind the Blackhawks' bench.
"He's like an icon in Chicago, whether it's him winning three Stanley Cups (or) coming in and helping us become better players," Kane said. "Obviously, what he's done here in his career is amazing. ...
"It will be good to see him. Try to get a win against him and enjoy the time off."
Ah, yes. Of course, there is a game to be played by two teams fighting to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
While the Hawks have won five straight and are suddenly just a few points out of a wild-card berth, Quenneville's Panthers are in a tight battle with the Maple Leafs for third place in the Atlantic Division.
This won't be the first time Quenneville has coached against a former team as he was also the bench boss in St. Louis from 1996-2004 and in Colorado from 2005-08. The difference, of course, is that in Chicago he helped end a 49-year Stanley Cup drought in 2010 and then guided the Hawks to two more titles in 2013 and 2015.
"It's a chance to honor Joel," Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. "It's a big night for the organization, and he was great to me, so I want to honor him too. ...
"A big part of the reason why I came here to begin with is because he was here."
Away from the rink, Quenneville was also a beloved resident in Hinsdale, often going the extra mile to connect with the community.
He'd bring pucks and sticks to employees at Fuller's Car Wash; he'd chat up customers at Page's Restaurant; and he even attended a wheelchair-league basketball game at Hinsdale Central in 2013 while the Hawks were in the playoffs. He also had no problem letting the local high school kids TP his house on Cup-clinching nights, and he hoisted the Stanley Cup for all to see during Hinsdale's Fourth of July parade in 2013.
Multiple attempts to speak with Quenneville last season were unsuccessful, in large part because he spent so much time relaxing and decompressing after the Hawks fired him on Nov. 6, 2018.
"It was one of those years where (because of) that situation, it was, 'OK, I was going to take some time away from the game and observe and watch and see how things played out,' " Quenneville said in a phone interview just before this season began. "Then the opportunity (with Florida) was perfect.
"It was a great fit in a lot of ways, and the challenges ahead of us are great as well. But we look forward to it. The timing of coming here was a great fit for our family."
Now an ex-family is about to welcome him back. It might be an awkward reunion in some ways, but at the end of the night, plenty of hugs and handshakes figure to be exchanged.
As for if a tear or two might be shed during the tribute video?
Well, we'll just have to wait and see.
"I'm sure I'm going to be excited about being in Chicago with the way that it's been over the years there," Quenneville said in October. "It's a special place. We were fortunate."
Scouting report
Blackhawks vs. Florida Panthers, 7:30 p.m. at United Center
TV: NBCSCH • Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: Florida (27-16-5) extended its winning streak to five with a 5-4 victory Monday at Minnesota. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky returned from a two-game absence during a 4-1 victory Saturday at Detroit, and he made 29 saves against the Wild. Bobrovsky has career lows in save percentage (.897) and goals-against average (3.25). Unless coach Joel Quenneville elects to play Bobrovsky in back-to-back games, 23-year-old Sam Montembeault (.888, 3.35 GAA) will start in net. … Six Panthers have at least 15 goals. They are led by Evegnii Dadonov (22), Jonathan Huberdeau (18), Mike Hoffman (18) and Noel Acciari (18). Huberdeau also has 46 assists. … The Hawks recalled Brandon Hagel and defenseman Dennis Gilbert from Rockford after they played in the IceHogs' 3-0 loss to Belleville on Monday. … Patrick Kane is riding a 10-game point streak, although he hasn't scored a goal in eight straight. Jonathan Toews is on a six-game point streak (4G, 9A).
Next: Arizona Coyotes, 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at Gila River Arena
- John Dietz