The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that Joel Quenneville will not return to coach the team next season.

“After meeting with Joel, we mutually agreed that the best decision for both parties involved is to go separate ways,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President & General Manager Francois Giguere. “On behalf of the organization, I want to thank Joel for his years of service and wish him the best in his coaching career.”

Following are a few excerpts from Giguere’s conference call this afternoon:

On the decision being reached mutually…
"This is a situation that’s a little bit unique because we’re in a position where – it’s not like when one coach is under contract and it’s kind of a one-way street in making a decision. This is a situation where – with the contract expiring – I think both parties have to look at the situation and see what’s best for them, which is a little different than when one party is under contract and the team has to make a decision alone as to what’s going on. With that context, that’s how we had our discussion to see what was the best fit for both Joel and the team."

On the organization’s philosophy moving forward…
"Right from day one when this team got to Denver, we’ve always been an organization that’s been a puck possession, up-beat, high-tempo, high-energy type of skill that’s (geared) towards attacking. That’s the way the Avalanche has always played and that’s the way that I foresee this team continuing to play."

On a timeframe for hiring a new head coach…
"I don’t feel any pressing need to do anything. It’s not like we need to get this done in the next few weeks. I’m going to be attacking that, along with some other things, in the upcoming weeks for sure."

On Quenneville’s performance behind the bench…
"Somebody had asked me the question last weekend if I thought our coaches had done a good job and I answered ‘yes,’ and I still feel that way today. Joel’s a good coach. You get to a time and place where you’re going separate directions sometimes and it’s something you need to do. I’m not here to say that I don’t think he did a good job or that he’s not a good coach. I do believe he’s a good coach and he did a good job."