Who is Rick Bowness? What to know about Blue Jackets' new coach
- - Who is Rick Bowness? What to know about Blue Jackets' new coach
Mike Brehm, USA TODAYJanuary 12, 2026 at 3:35 PM
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Who is Rick Bowness? What to know about Blue Jackets' new coach
Rick Bowness is back in coaching, a little more than one season after he had announced his retirement.
The Columbus Blue Jackets hired the veteran coach on Monday, Jan. 12 after firing head coach Dean Evason.
Bowness, 70, most recently coached the Winnipeg Jets from 2022-24. He retired after a season in which he took some leave because his wife Judy had a seizure.
“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,” Bowness said in a statement. “I’m thankful to (general manager Don (Waddell) and (Blue Jackets President) Mike Priest and I’m really excited to work with our players and coaching staff to help get us where we want to go.”
Here's what to know about what to know about new Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness:
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
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Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
">Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
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Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
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Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
">Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
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1 / 22NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 seasonYoung Detroit Red Wings fans make as much noise as they can during the third period at Little Caesars Arena.Rick Bowness coaching career
Bowness first was head coach of the Jets in 1988-89, finishing out that season as an interim coach after the firing of Don Maloney. He also coached the Boston Bruins (1991-92), Ottawa Senators (1992-96), New York Islanders (1996-98), Phoenix Coyotes (2003-04), Dallas Stars (2019-21) and Jets (2022-24).
He reached the playoffs in four of his last five seasons.
He also was an assistant or associate coach with the Jets, Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Stars.
Rick Bowness coach record
He went 310-408 with 48 overtime/shootout losses and 37 ties as a head coach.
Did Rick Bowness win a Stanley Cup?
He took the Stars to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Lightning in six games. The Canucks lost in the 2011 final when he was an associate coach.
Rick Bowness playing career
Bowness, a forward, played for the Atlanta Flames, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Jets. He had 55 points in 173 career regular season games.
What had Rick Bowness done in retirement?
He was an occasional studio analyst on TNT's NHL broadcasts.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Rick Bowness? Details on Columbus Blue Jackets new coach
Source: “AOL Sports”
