Rick Bowness is returning as Columbus Blue Jackets head coach, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
The 71-year-old Bowness took over the position in January on a contract that ran through the end of the campaign. The Blue Jackets went 21-11-5 under him after starting the season 19-19-7 with Dean Evason.
Bowness ripped his team's effort in an emotional tirade after the last game of the season Tuesday. Columbus ended the year on a 2-8-1 skid to miss the playoffs.
"Losing is not important enough to them," Bowness said. "It doesn't bother them. How can you go out and play like that? I should have done this about a month ago. But this is why we are where we are. This is why we're out of the playoffs. That kind of effort. You have to hate losing. I don't care if it's a meaningless game. I don't care. Show up and compete."
Bowness had retired in 2024 after a two-year stint with the Winnipeg Jets. He landed his first NHL gig in 1984-85 and has coached the most games in NHL history.
