NEW YORK — National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement today.

“The National Hockey League agrees with Joel Quenneville’s decision tonight to step down as head coach of the Florida Panthers. In his former role as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, Quenneville was among several former members of the group that mismanaged former Kyle Beach player’s sexual assault complaint against Brad Aldrich, then the Club’s video coach. And, following a meeting with Mr. Quenneville that took place this afternoon in my office, all parties agreed that it was no longer appropriate for him to continue to be the head coach of Florida.

“I admire Kyle Beach for his courage to come forward, I am dismayed that he was so poorly supported during his initial request and for the 11 years that followed, and I am sorry for all he has. endured.

“We thank the Panthers organization for working with us to ensure that a careful process was followed. In view of the result, there is no further action to be taken by the NHL with respect to Mr. Quenneville at this time. – to enter the League in any capacity in the future, I will require a meeting with him in advance to determine the appropriate conditions under which such new employment could take place. “