The Chicago Blackhawks have announced on Tuesday that Mike Haviland has been fired as their assistant coach.
Haviland arrived in Chicago in 2005 where he spent 3 years with the AHL's Rockford Icehogs as their head coach. In 2008, the Blackhawks hired him to be their assistant coach and he just finished his fourth season behind the bench after being let go today.
Head coach Joel Quenneville will address the media in a conference all at 6:00pm CT. His response will be added to this article as soon as it wraps up. Stay tuned.
UPDATED:
Joel Quenneville immediately dismissed any rumors that he'd be leaving to coach Montreal by saying, "First and foremost, I'm excited about being here in Chicago, love opportunity and organization, that’s something I want to put to bed now. I love everything about what we have here. Have 2 more years left."
Quenneville admitted that there was a dysfunction in the coaching staff and that it was his decision to pull the trigger and make a coaching change by letting go of Mike Haviland.
He said Haviland started the year handling the power play unit and when it struggled, he switched back to Mike Kitchen. It got better for a little bit, but then went into a slump again.
Quenneville also said that the change had nothing to do with having a personal friendship:
"I don't operate that way. To me, it's about getting the right guy."
He used the Washington Capitals as an example and admits he needs to do a better job of delegating ice-time: "You earn it."
Joel Quenneville says he does not have a possible list of replacements as of yet and will keep the process confidential: "At the end of the day, I feel like it's my decision."
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