ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joel Quenneville joined one of the most exclusive clubs in hockey history Wednesday night, becoming just the second coach in the NHL’s 109-year history to reach 1,000 career victories as the Anaheim Ducks rallied for a 6-5 win over the Edmonton Oilers at Honda Center.
The milestone came in fittingly dramatic fashion.
Anaheim erased multiple deficits and surged ahead in the third period, with Cutter Gauthier scoring the go-ahead goal with 1:14 remaining to cap a four-goal final frame. The Ducks held off Edmonton in the closing seconds to secure Quenneville’s 1,000th win, bringing his career record to 1,000-595-153 with 77 ties.
Only Scotty Bowman, who finished with 1,244 victories, has reached the four-digit mark.
Quenneville’s journey to 1,000 wins has spanned stops in St. Louis, Colorado, Chicago, Florida and now Anaheim. Best known for leading the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships, Quenneville has built a reputation for adaptability and consistency across eras.
This season, he has helped guide a Ducks resurgence that is beginning to look like a playoff push. With Wednesday’s victory, Anaheim moved into second place in the Pacific Division with 65 points. It marks the latest point in a season the Ducks have occupied a playoff spot since 2017-18.
The Ducks’ locker room celebration reflected both the significance of the moment and the personality of their coach.
After the win, players surprised Quenneville by donning fake mustaches in honor of his trademark look. He was also presented with the team’s “Gordon Bombay MVP of the Game” jacket as teammates cheered and posed for photos.
The celebration will extend to the stands Sunday, March 1, when the first 1,000 fans through the Honda Center doors will receive fake mustaches to commemorate the milestone.
The victory itself underscored the Ducks’ growth. Leo Carlsson returned from injury with a goal and two assists, Lukas Dostal made 22 saves, and contributions up and down the lineup helped Anaheim withstand Edmonton’s firepower.
For Quenneville, the number 1,000 represents longevity and excellence. For the Ducks, it may represent something more — a sign that meaningful hockey in Anaheim is back.
