CHICAGO – Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville missed Chicago's 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night with an undisclosed illness that sent him to the hospital.
Quenneville was admitted early Wednesday morning after he started feeling discomfort at home late Tuesday. Team physician Dr. Michael Terry said Wednesday morning Quenneville was in stable condition, and there was no update before or after the Blackhawks' win.
"He is currently in stable condition and is being treated for an undisclosed health concern today, not of cardiac nature," Terry said in a statement. "Further testing is ongoing and we will provide an update when possible."
Assistant Mike Haviland was the acting coach with Quenneville away and received a game puck from the team after the slumping Blackhawks opened an important three-game homestand with a sorely needed win.
"I'm sure it was in their heads," Haviland said. "That's a gutsy effort right there. You know our head coach not being here, you can put a lot of things into it, the trip and certainly you're battling for every inch and every point now. I thought the guys played outstanding and that was right from the cage out."
The 52-year-old Quenneville, who led the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup title last year, is one of only two men to coach at least 1,000 games and play 800 in the NHL.
Haviland said he hadn't spoken with Quenneville and didn't know if he watched Wednesday night's victory.
"We just knew what we had to do and what Q wanted us to do, compete and work hard and not change everything," captain Jonathan Toews said. "Havi was great behind the bench. He had full control of everything and showed his experience as a head coach and a leader, and did a great job."
Chicago had dropped six of eight, including its previous two in shootouts. The Blackhawks' next game is Friday against Columbus.
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