Brunette debuted as the replacement for Joel Quenneville as Florida’s coach Friday, running the Panthers through a gameday practice in Detroit.
“It’s a real sad day for hockey, with Kyle Beach and everything he’s gone through,” Brunette said.
Quenneville was Chicago’s coach when Beach said he was assaulted by Aldrich.
But Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff — who also worked for the Blackhawks at that time — escaped sanctioning after meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Friday.
The 48-year-old Brunette spent four seasons playing for Quenneville.
Brunette played 16 seasons for six franchises, including six seasons in Minnesota.
Quenneville — a three-time Stanley Cup-winning coach, all with Chicago — and the Panthers came calling in 2019, offering Brunette a job as an assistant.
Florida entered Friday looking to become the fifth franchise and seventh team in NHL history to begin a season with eight consecutive victories.