Quenneville was hired Monday as the new coach of the Florida Panthers, reuniting with general manager Dale Tallon, who had hired him to the Blackhawks 11 years ago. The 60-year-old Quenneville felt that Florida offered him the right opportunity.
"We talked about what our goals and ambitions were as a family," Quenneville said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Thursday morning. "The one thing we were looking at was we wanted to win another championship, and we wanted to go be with some people that we're familiar with.
"Almost the same scenario as when (Tallon) hired me here about 11 years ago -- walked into a team that was ready to go, had a lot of nice assets, a lot of young kids in the well. A lot of the same parallels in Florida.
"I love the opportunity. It's a great fit. Dale's excited, we're thrilled. Looking forward to a lot of new challenges ahead with the team."
The second-winningest NHL coach of all time, Quenneville was fired by the Blackhawks in early November after the team started 6-6-3.
Despite leading the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships, Quenneville was dismissed by team president John McDonough and general manager Stan Bowman, who believed a new fit was necessary. The Blackhawks missed the playoffs for a second straight season in 2018-'19.
Quenneville admitted he was surprised by the timing and manner of his firing, but the disappointment ultimately subsided.
"I can say in other times I've been let go, there was bitterness towards the organization," Quenneville said. "That's the tough part about coaching changes. It's one of the negatives in our business. In this situation, at that time, it was like the memories and the situation was so special. I can't say enough great things about the organization, the fans, the support, the experience here in Chicago and the community, the years were too good.
"I didn't watch many Hawk games. I watched a lot of hockey, but I stayed away from watching them play. An old coach told me it's not healthy to watch them play. But they had a great run trying to get back into it.
"Jeremy (Colliton) is going to be a good coach. I know that from being around him the last couple years. Very well-prepared, smart young kid, works hard, got a good feel for the game and people."
Quenneville will return to the United Center once during the 2019-'20 regular season as coach of the Panthers.
After a sudden ending to his time with the Blackhawks, that trip to Chicago will bring all those memories back to mind.
"I'm sure it will be very emotional because the memories are special," he said. "Certainly looking forward to that. It will be one of the highlights, for sure."