Rick Bowness succeeds Dean Evason as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The NHL club Columbus Blue Jackets announced on its official website a change in head coach.

Canadian Dean Evason, who has led the team since 2024, has been relieved of his position along with assistant Stephen McCarthy. Evason left Columbus in last 16th place in the Eastern Conference in the current NHL regular season. In 45 matches the team scored 45 points.

“This season has been a disappointment for all of us, and the bottom line is that we are not delivering the results we expected. We are all responsible for this, including myself, and although this decision was not taken lightly, it was necessary at this time. “Dean did an amazing job last year under extremely difficult circumstances, and I thank him for that,” the Columbus press service quotes club general manager Don Waddell.

Evason was replaced by 70-year-old Canadian Rick Bowness, whose last job was the Winnipeg Jets. Bowness coached the Jets from 2022-24 and led the team to two consecutive Stanley Cup playoffs. After leaving Winnipeg, Bowness announced his retirement from coaching, but agreed to return to work after receiving an offer from Columbus.