Brewin Flames Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 Evason hired as Blue Jackets coach, replaces Vincent 59-year-old joins Columbus after 5 seasons with Wild © David Berding/Getty Images ByNHL.com @NHLdotcom 2:54 PM Dean Evason was hired as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. The 59-year-old replaces Pascal Vincent and will coach for the second time in the NHL. He was fired by the Minnesota Wild on Nov. 27, 2023. Evason was 147-77-27 in five seasons since replacing Bruce Boudreau on Feb. 14, 2020. He was 8-15 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs qualifying each of his four previous seasons, but Minnesota never advanced past the first round. Vincent was fired June 17 after the Blue Jackets (27-43-12) finished last in the Metropolitan Division in his only season. They've finished last in the Eastern Conference in each of the past two seasons and no higher than sixth in their division since 2019-20. Don Waddell was named Blue Jackets president of hockey operations and general manager May 28 after he stepped down from the same position with the Carolina Hurricanes four days earlier. “Dean Evason brings to coaching what he brought as a player -- passion, hard work and tenacity -- and I couldn’t be happier that he will serve as the next head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets,” Waddell said. “He has spent well over two decades in this league as a player, assistant coach and head coach and I believe that experience, combined with the outstanding person he is, will allow Dean to get the best out of our players and put us in a position to succeed as a team.” Several of the Blue Jackets' key players are signed for at least two more seasons, including forwards Johnny Gaudreau (five seasons), Boone Jenner (two) and Patrik Laine (two), defensemen Zach Werenski (four) and Damon Severson (seven), and goalie Elvis Merzlikins (three). They selected forward Cayden Lindstrom with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Since the regular season ended, the Buffalo Sabres hired Lindy Ruff on April 22, Travis Green joined the Ottawa Senators on May 7, the Toronto Maple Leafs named Craig Berube to the position May 17, Sheldon Keefe was hired by the New Jersey Devils on May 23, Scott Arniel became coach of the Winnipeg Jets the next day, Dan Bylsma returned to the NHL as Seattle Kraken coach May 28 and the San Jose Sharks hired Ryan Warsofsky on June 13. “I am incredibly proud and honored to be named the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets and appreciate very much the opportunity that Don, the McConnell family and Mike Priest have extended to me,” Evason said. “There is a great core and a lot of young talent on this team. I am really looking forward to working with this group and helping us become a team that plays extremely hard and competes at the highest level.” 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaucyJack Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 Nice to see the staying power of the 1982 Capitals draft pick. (He’s come a long ways from Flin Flon Manitoba!) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 Meh, just another retread. Really felt Vogelhuber should have earned the nod. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegx.ca Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 On 7/22/2024 at 6:07 PM, yave1964 said: Meh, just another retread. Really felt Vogelhuber should have earned the nod. This is the type of coach they wanted to hire in first place but couldn't because of players complaining bout Babcock so hopefully the players don't run another good coach outta town before the season starts again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.