Quenneville expecting 'fun night' in return to Chicago

It's been quite a few years since Joel Quenneville found himself behind the visitors' bench at the United Center.

The Florida Panthers head coach is looking forward to Tuesday's matchup in Chicago, his first game there since serving as Blackhawks bench boss from 2008 until his dismissal in November 2018.

"I think it's going to be a fun night. The memories are so great - the moments, the people, the staff, the organization," Quenneville told NBC Sports Chicago.

He added, "You couldn't ask for a better 10 years of our life, or our coaching experience, or our families, or the opportunity to work with some of the best players to ever play the game."

Quenneville is the only coach in franchise history to capture multiple Stanley Cups, having won in 2010, 2013, and 2015. His 452 regular-season wins with the Blackhawks rank second in club history.

"Chicago's a special place to play and we had one of those memorable runs," said Quenneville, who previously served as head coach of the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche. "It was a privilege to be there. The franchise was the team of the decade and was very deserving."

When asked what he remembers most from his time with Chicago, Quenneville said it was the journey to each championship.

"Obviously the championships were significant achievements, and when you look back how each one was accomplished and how hard they were," the 61-year-old said. "All the things - the ups and downs of winning each one were the things that stand out the most."

In his first year with Florida, Quenneville has led the Panthers to a 27-16-5 record. The team occupies third place in the Atlantic Division entering Tuesday's action.