Favorite memory of season: Quenneville returns to Chicago with Panthers

The NHL season was paused on March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. During the break in the action, NHL.com writers will each look back at his or her favorite memory of the season so far. Today, staff writer Tracey Myers writes about Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville's return to United Center for the first time since he was fired by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Joel Quenneville attracted attention as soon as he entered United Center, with television cameras and a few of us writers following the Florida Panthers coach down the hall to the visiting coaches room.

I sensed that Quenneville's return to United Center on Jan. 21 for the first time since he was fired as the Chicago Blackhawks coach on Nov. 6, 2018 would be my favorite memory of the season -- and it is.

Quenneville was 452-249-96 in 11 seasons with Chicago, leading the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. His return to United Center was a big deal and even before the game began, emotions were high.

"I know this is a different place right here right now," Quenneville said in a pregame press conference. "But when you get playing the game, what it's all about and you feel the buzz and the roar from the crowd out there, that's a special feeling that you don't get to feel in a lot of buildings and have that experience. It's one of the special moments of having the privilege to coach here, be here."

When the Blackhawks honored Quenneville with a video tribute during the first television timeout, the crowd gave him a roaring standing ovation. Blackhawks and Panthers players gave him stick taps as Quenneville waved to the crowd and the cheers only grew louder.

"[Quenneville's] ovation might have been bigger than Kaner's, I don't know, close call," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said of forward Patrick Kane, who was honored for his 1,000th NHL point before the game. "I think all of us that played for him were all smiles. But obviously, the fans showing him lots of respect and love, so pretty cool to see."

Quenneville never has a problem showing emotions during a game but seeing him misty-eyed during the video tribute was surprising.

"I think he may have a sensitive side to him; you could see it a little bit," Panthers forward Frank Vatrano said with a grin. "No, I think when you've been in a city for so long and have done so many great things, it's hard not to tear up a little bit."

There was already plenty riding on the Panthers-Blackhawks game. Each team was on a five-game winning streak. The Panthers were third in the Atlantic Division and the Blackhawks were three points behind the Arizona Coyotes for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. The Panthers defeated the Blackhawks 4-3, with Vatrano scoring his second NHL hat trick and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky making 32 saves.

After Quenneville wrapped up his postgame press conference in which he allowed me to ask the first question -- it became a tradition in my time here -- he talked with Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, Toews and Kane. For Quenneville, it was a great return to Chicago, on and off the ice.

"I saw Duncs, saw [defenseman Brent Seabrook and goalie Corey Crawford] before the game, the trainers and the guys so it's a lot of great memories. Everybody in the building, you guys (media) as well," Quenneville said. "Good reflecting back on different experiences we had. When I left here, the bitterness you think you may have leaving here, I didn't have any of that type of feeling. It was basically the memories were too special and recapturing it here immediately, you can have that same sense why it was like that. I showed a lot of appreciation for everyone here. It's a great place to play, special fans, a fun building and great organization. So, thanks."