Report: Coach's firing causing a rift in Chicago

Kitchen is out and Coach Q is NOT happy about it.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Report: Coach's firing causing a rift in Chicago
Keystone Press

When Chicago Blackhawks general manager announced that there would be changes in his organization following the team’s first round playoff loss to the Nashville Predators, few analysts expected the team’s coaching staff to come away unscathed. It wasn’t a surprise then when associate coach Mike Kitchen was relieved of his duties on Monday morning. Who was surprised, however, was the team’s head coach and Kitchen’s long-time friend Joel Quenneville.

Bowman’s news release did not include a statement from Quenneville, who was reportedly surprised and upset by the news. If Bowman indeed acted alone in Kitchen’s dismissal without consulting Quenneville, things could get ugly in Chicago. Hawks fans might remember previous power struggles between the GM and head coach that were calmed by Stanley Cup championships in 2013 and 2015. Two years and two early playoff exits removed from their last championship however, and it appears that the situation is rife for a new rift.

In fact, according to a report from Chris Hine in the Chicago Tribune, sources have indicated that Bowman did indeed fire Kitchen to reassert his authority over the organization and send a message to his personnel, including Quenneville, for next season. Storm clouds on the horizon in the Wndy City?


Source: Chris Hine