Joel Quenneville reaches 1,000 NHL coaching victories

Quenneville joins Scotty Bowman as the only NHL coaches to reach the 1,000-win milestone

Feb. 26, 2026 at 9:50am

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Joel Quenneville, the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks, reached 1,000 career victories as an NHL head coach on Wednesday night. Quenneville's Ducks rallied to beat the two-time defending conference champion Edmonton Oilers 6-5, overcoming multiple deficits in the third period. Quenneville is only the second NHL coach to reach the 1,000-win milestone, joining the legendary Scotty Bowman.

Why it matters

Reaching 1,000 wins is an incredible feat in the NHL, a league known for its parity and high turnover of head coaches. Quenneville's sustained success over more than two decades as a head coach, including three Stanley Cup championships with the Chicago Blackhawks, cements his status as one of the greatest NHL coaches of all time.

The details

Quenneville reached the 1,000-win mark in his 1,825th game as an NHL head coach. He has led his teams to the playoffs in 20 of the 22 seasons he has finished behind the bench. Quenneville's Ducks rallied from multiple two-goal deficits in the third period to beat the Oilers, with Cutter Gauthier scoring the game-winning goal with 1:14 remaining.

  • Quenneville coached his first NHL game with the St. Louis Blues in February 1997.
  • Scotty Bowman reached 1,000 wins as an NHL head coach in February 1997.
  • Quenneville reached 1,000 wins as an NHL head coach on February 26, 2026.

The players

Joel Quenneville

The head coach of the Anaheim Ducks, who has now reached 1,000 career victories as an NHL head coach, joining Scotty Bowman as the only two coaches to achieve this milestone.

Scotty Bowman

The legendary NHL head coach who holds the record for most wins in NHL history with 1,244 victories. Bowman won nine Stanley Cup titles as a head coach.

Cutter Gauthier

The Anaheim Ducks left wing who scored the game-winning goal with 1:14 remaining to complete the Ducks' comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

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What they’re saying

“I wasn't prioritizing the number. I just wanted to play well tonight and find a way to win. That was the motivation, and it turned out to be a very special one as well.”

— Joel Quenneville, Head Coach, Anaheim Ducks

“He's from a different league when I look at his company. I think he's lonesome up there, the number he's at. I had Scotty and Stan in Chicago together. We had some great wins, and he's got a lot of Cups. He's been very successful in the game.”

— Joel Quenneville, Head Coach, Anaheim Ducks

What’s next

Quenneville and the Ducks will look to build on this milestone victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

Joel Quenneville's 1,000th career victory as an NHL head coach is a testament to his sustained excellence and longevity in the league. Joining the legendary Scotty Bowman as the only two coaches to reach this milestone solidifies Quenneville's place among the all-time greats of the game.