The Black Bears would make a big announcement on Friday involving an addition to their coaching staff this season with former NHL player John Quenneville being hired as an assistant coach after playing professionally for eight seasons.

Quennevillle would be drafted 30th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2014 NHL Draft and is no stranger to Binghamton. Quenneville would spend one season with the Albany Devils before the New Jersey AHL affiliate would make its way to the Southern Tie. The AHL veteran forward would play two seasons in Binghamton and register an AHL career high in goals in the 2018-19 season before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. 

The 29-year-old Canadian would be a two-time AHL All-Star and play in 215 regular season games registering 64 goals and 94 assists, at the NHL level he would play in 42 games tallying 2 goals and 3 assists. After the covid-19 pandemic, Quenneville would spend four seasons playing overseas in Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland. 

Binghamton head coach Brant Sherwood spoke on the hiring of the former professional player.

“The addition of John Quenneville is not only monumental to the Black Bears organization, but the entire league. We’re pretty fortunate to have a high caliber talent like Q in our locker room. He has been helping the team and I behind the scenes for a couple years before he headed overseas.  Now, to have him in our locker room more frequently is a blessing.  I know he’ll bring high energy and top tier hockey knowledge to the players.”

Binghamton will open up their season on Friday, October 10 taking on Watertown.Â