The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a major shakeup behind the bench.
The Blue Jackets fired head coach Dean Evason and assistant coach Steve McCarthy on Monday, and hired veteran bench boss Rick Bowness to take Evason’s place.
“This season has been a frustrating one for all of us and the bottom line is we are not performing at a level that meets our expectations. We all share in that responsibility, me included, and while this was not a decision that was made lightly, it is one that needed to be made at this time,” said general manager Don Waddell in a statement. “Dean did a tremendous job last year under extremely difficult circumstances and I thank him for that. I also want to thank Steve for his commitment to our club over the past five years.”
Most recently, Bowness has spent time in Winnipeg coaching the Jets from 2022-2024. While there he boasted a 98-57-9 record over 164 games and led the team to to playoff appearances in both seasons.
“Rick Bowness is a tremendous coach with invaluable experience and knowledge, and he will bring a steadiness to our team at an important juncture in our season,” said Waddell. “He is a good communicator whose teams play with structure, are sound defensively and we believe he is the right person to bring out the best in our group.”
Over 803 games in the NHL, Bowness, 70, has spent time as a head coach or interim head coach with the Stars, Coyotes, Islanders, Senators and Bruins as well as the Jets. Across all his appearances behind the bench, he boasts a 310-408-48-37 (W-L-T-OT) record.
“I appreciate the opportunity to come to Columbus because it is a good organization with good people and this is a team that I think I can help improve,” said Bowness.
Evason was just past the midway point of his second season in charge of the Blue Jackets. Waddell’s first order of business upon becoming GM was to fire then-coach Pascal Vincent and put Evason behind the bench. In the 127 games with Evason at the helm, the Blue Jackets held a 59-52-16 record.
Columbus sits eighth in the Metropolitan Division.
— with files from the Associated Press
