Denis Savard is no longer Coach of Chicago Blackhawks

16 October 2008 @ 03:28 pm EDT

The Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Denis Savard on Thursday replacing him with veteran head coach Joel Quenneville, reports said.


Denis Savard.
Chicago Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon, right, and Denis Savard, left, are seen at a news conference in Bensenville, Monday, Nov. 27, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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"This was an extremely hard day for this organization and for me personally...We made a tough decision that we strongly feel is the right one as we continue to evaluate our team and create a championship caliber organization that can sustain success," Blackhawks' general manager Dale Tallon said according to a statement from the team.

The firing came one day after the Blackhawks won their first game of the season, 4-1 versus the Phoenix Coyotes.

Savard a former player, became coach in November 2006. Last season, he brought the Blackhawks to their first 40-win season since the 2001-2002 season.

The team went 40-34-8 this year but couldn't make it to the playoffs. Quenneville has a record of 483-283-118 in 11 seasons as a coach. He has coached , the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche.

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