Rick Bowness Returns as Blue Jackets Coach

The veteran coach will lead Columbus for the 2026-27 season after a strong finish to the previous campaign.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:00am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp geometric shapes in blue, red, and white overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract scene.Bowness' return aims to reshape the Blue Jackets' culture and end their playoff drought.Columbus Today

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that Rick Bowness will return as the team's head coach for the 2026-27 NHL season. Bowness took over the Blue Jackets midway through the previous season and led the team to a 21-11-5 record, though they ultimately missed the playoffs. Blue Jackets management and players have expressed strong support for Bowness and his ability to communicate with the team and get them playing hard.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets have struggled to make the playoffs in recent years, missing the postseason for the sixth straight season. Bowness' return provides stability and continuity as the team looks to build on the strong finish to the 2025-26 campaign and end their playoff drought.

The details

Bowness was named the Blue Jackets' interim head coach on January 12, 2026, replacing Dean Evason. Under Bowness, the team went 18-2-4 in his first 24 games and moved into a playoff position, but they faded down the stretch, going 3-9-1 to miss the playoffs. Despite the late-season struggles, Blue Jackets management and players praised Bowness' communication and ability to get the team playing hard. Bowness acknowledged he may have pushed the players too hard at times, but said he plans to use that experience to help the team improve next season.

  • Bowness took over as Blue Jackets head coach on January 12, 2026.
  • The Blue Jackets announced Bowness' return as head coach on April 17, 2026.

The players

Rick Bowness

A veteran NHL coach who has led the Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins over his career. He will be 71 years old when the 2026-27 season begins.

Don Waddell

The President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Zach Werenski

The Blue Jackets' star defenseman who led the team with 81 points this past season and is among the favorites for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman.

Charlie Coyle

The Blue Jackets' unrestricted free agent center.

Mason Marchment

The Blue Jackets' unrestricted free agent left wing.

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What they’re saying

“'If you look at the body of work that happened here over the last 37 games, I'm very pleased with Rick's work. I've said all along that the strengths of this organization from a coaching standpoint has been the communication he's had with the players and getting them ready to play on a regular basis.'”

— Don Waddell, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Columbus Blue Jackets

“'Rick speaks from his heart. It was very passionate what he said and he cares and from a general manager standpoint, that's what he asked for. Since Rick's been here, I knew that he was all in on this. I give players the opportunity (to discuss the comments during end-of-season meetings) and to a man I heard only positive things, so I'm good with everything that's happened.'”

— Don Waddell, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Columbus Blue Jackets

“'Now I have a reference point to them and I can go to them in October and I can go to them in November 'that's the stuff that hurts us in March and April that you will not get away with then and you will not get away with in the playoffs.' So that helps. That seed has been planted.'”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach, Columbus Blue Jackets

What’s next

The Blue Jackets will look to build on Bowness' strong finish to the 2025-26 season and end their six-year playoff drought in the 2026-27 campaign. Key offseason priorities will include re-signing pending free agents like Zach Werenski, Charlie Coyle, and Mason Marchment, as well as integrating 2023 third overall pick Adam Fantilli into the lineup.

The takeaway

Bowness' return provides stability and continuity for a Blue Jackets team that has struggled to make the playoffs in recent years. His ability to connect with players and get them playing hard down the stretch last season has earned him the trust of management and the locker room, setting the stage for a potential turnaround in Columbus.