Columbus Blue Jackets sign Rick Bowness as head coach for the upcoming season, receives strong backing from players

To bolster the strength of the team, the Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Rick Bowness to return as head coach, in place of Dean Evason, next season after agreeing to a contract on Thursday. As per reports, Rick Bowness has received full support from his players following a turbulent end to the season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, combining a new contract extension with a controversial public rant.

According to the NHL, this announcement came two days after an emotional Bowness called out his players following a 2-1 season-ending loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, after the Blue Jackets (40-30-12) finished with a six-game home losing streak (0-5-1) at Nationwide Arena. It is to be noted that it was the sixth straight season that Columbus failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Following the announcement, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he was convinced Bowness should remain behind the bench in Columbus. Reports suggest that his 2,763 games as a coach are the most in the NHL.

Columbus Blue Jackets players back Rick Bowness after he returns as the team’s head coach

Rick Bowness has received strong backing from his players following a turbulent end to the season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, as he signed a new contract extension with the team on Thursday. According to reports, Bowness will return to the Blue Jackets next season after coming to terms on a contract extension.

Speaking on return to the NHL, Bowness stated, “Sometimes my passion gets in my way, and it does, and that's happened before. I'm hoping it won't happen, but it's why I'm sitting here. It’s the passion and the love of the game, so that's who I am."


He further said, “And you know, there are times it goes overboard. I know that I probably pushed it a little bit far, and I get that, but that's who I am. And the players know that I'm a talker, I'm a yeller, and I love the game, and I'm passionate about the game. I love the players, and they know that.”

Meanwhile, veteran defenseman Damon Severson has expressed his gladness to see him return as a coach, “He's the best coach I've personally ever had. I've had a couple of really good coaches. I've had some really not good coaches, but 'Bones' has been the best one so far.”

According to the NHL, Bowness was 21-11-5 for the Blue Jackets this season to run his NHL career coaching totals to 331-419-42 with 48 ties in 840 games for the Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and Blue Jackets.

He retired for personal reasons as Winnipeg coach following the 2023-24 season, and now he is back supporting the Jackets as their new coach. The organization also further showed faith in the veteran coach, confirming that Bowness will remain in charge after agreeing to a contract extension.

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