COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — General manager Don Waddell and the Blue Jackets have found their next coach to replace Pascal Vincent.
The Jackets announced the hiring of Dean Evason on Monday, concluding a search that began after Vincent was released on June 17.
“Dean Evason brings the same passion, hard work and tenacity he developed as a player to his coaching roles, and we couldn’t be more excited for him to become the next head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets,” said Waddell. “He’s spent more than 20 years in this league as a player, assistant coach and head coach, and I believe that experience, combined with his great personality, will help Dean bring out the best in his players and put us in a position to be successful as a team.”
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Evason has been coaching since 1999, beginning his career as an assistant coach with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. He most recently coached the Minnesota Wild, where he was in charge for five seasons before being fired in November after a record of five wins, 10 losses and four draws.
“This team has a great core and a lot of young talent,” Evason said of the Jackets. “I’m really looking forward to working with this group and helping us become a team that plays extremely hard and competes at the highest level.”
A native of Manitoba, Evason’s playing career dates back to the 1980s, when he was selected in the fifth round by the Washington Capitals in the 1982 draft. He went on to play for the Hartford Whalers, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. The centre-forward also played for the Canadian national team, winning a gold medal at the 1997 World Championships in Finland.
Evason will be the 12th manager for the Blue Jackets, who are looking to get back on winning track after going 27-43-12 in Vincent’s lone season as coach, and missing the playoffs for four seasons in a row.
The Jackets recently completed a player development camp earlier this month that featured top draft pick Kaden Lindstrom and are scheduled to open the 2024-25 season on Oct. 10 against the Minnesota Wild.
