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Rick Bowness emerges from retirement to lead the Blue Jackets, stepping in for the dismissed Dean Evason
The NHL’s most senior head coach assumes control of the Eastern Conference’s lowest-ranked squad
On Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets terminated head coach Dean Evason, appointing veteran hockey figure Rick Bowness as his successor.
Evason marks the initial NHL head coach dismissal of the current season. General Manager Don Waddell disclosed the sudden alteration as his team occupied the bottom spot in the Eastern Conference, 45 games into the season, holding a 19-19-7 record.
“This season has proven disheartening for everyone involved, and ultimately, our performance has fallen short of what we anticipated,” Waddell stated. “We all bear a part of this accountability, myself included, and while this choice was not taken without serious consideration, it was a necessary one at this juncture.”
“Last year, Dean performed admirably despite exceptionally challenging conditions, and for that, I am grateful.”
Assistant coach Steve McCarthy, a fixture within the organization for almost ten years, was also let go.
Bowness rejoins the league following his retirement in spring 2024, concluding his tenure with the Winnipeg Jets. Bowness, who guided Dallas to the Stanley Cup final during the 2020 pandemic bubble, will celebrate his 71st birthday on January 25, and at 70 years old, he now holds the distinction of being the NHL’s most seasoned head coach.
“Rick Bowness is an outstanding coach possessing invaluable expertise and insight, and he will provide stability to our team at a crucial point in our season,” Waddell commented. “He communicates effectively, and his teams exhibit structured play, strong defensive capabilities, and we are confident he is the ideal individual to maximize our collective potential.”
Throughout his extensive career, Bowness has served as head coach for seven distinct franchises, beginning with the inaugural Jets in 1988. Since departing his latest role in Winnipeg, he had undertaken some broadcasting work with TNT.
Evason had only recently passed the halfway mark of his second season managing the Blue Jackets. Waddell’s initial action after assuming the General Manager position involved dismissing then-coach Pascal Vincent and placing Evason in the coaching role.
