The Columbus Blue Jackets have officially parted ways with head coach Dean Evason after two seasons, announcing his dismissal alongside assistant coach Steve McCarthy on January 12, 2025. In a move aimed at revitalizing the team’s performance, the franchise has appointed veteran coach Rick Bowness to take the helm.
Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell expressed the necessity of this change, stating, “This season has been a frustrating one for all of us and the bottom line is we are not performing at the level that meets our expectations.” Waddell emphasized the shared responsibility for the team’s struggles and acknowledged the challenges Evason faced, particularly during the previous season.
Under Evason’s leadership, the Blue Jackets have compiled a record of 19 wins, 19 losses, and 7 overtime losses in the first 45 games of the current season, placing them in a tie for last in the Eastern Conference with the Ottawa Senators. Over his tenure, Evason guided the team to a total record of 59 wins, 52 losses, and 16 overtime losses across 127 games, including a commendable 40-33-9 in the 2024-25 season, where the team narrowly missed the playoffs.
Bowness, who has an extensive coaching background in the NHL, takes on the challenge of improving the Blue Jackets’ fortunes. He previously served as the head coach for multiple teams, including the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and Winnipeg Jets. With a career coaching record of 310 wins, 408 losses, 48 ties, and 37 overtime losses, his recent performance between 2019 and 2024 shows a more promising 187-119-0-34 record, which included leading the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020.
Waddell praised Bowness, stating, “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.” He highlighted Bowness’s strengths in communication and defensive structure, believing that he is the right person to maximize the team’s potential.
In his first statement as head coach, Bowness expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “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.” He conveyed excitement about collaborating with the players and coaching staff to achieve the team’s goals.
Before stepping into this role, Bowness had been working as an analyst for TNT after concluding his tenure with the Jets at the end of the 2023-24 season. Now returning to the bench, he aims to lead the Blue Jackets to a successful turnaround in the remaining games of the season.
As the Blue Jackets embark on this new chapter, the franchise and its supporters will be eager to see how Bowness’s experience and leadership can reshape the team’s trajectory.
