There was a significant announcement made on Tuesday in the National Hockey League as Rick Bowness of Moncton, New Brunswick has been named the new head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets according to Rogers Sportsnet. Bowness replaces Dean Evason, who was fired. The Blue Jackets have the least number of points in the Eastern Conference, and Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell has brought the 70-year-old Bowness out of retirement.
Here is the reaction of the Blue Jackets decision throughout the hockey community.
“Proving again there’s always room in hockey for competent, likeable people. See Rick. See Cliff Fletcher. See the late Jim Gregory. Nothing usurps treating others kindly. Bowness is a classic example.”
This quote came from Howard Berger of the FAN 590 in Toronto. There is no doubt that Bowness has been well liked wherever he has gone. He has been the head coach for the original Winnipeg Jets, current Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, and Dallas Stars.
“Bowness, who will coach his first game tonight vs Calgary, is signed through the rest of the season. Everything will be revisited then…the man loves to coach.”
This is from Elliotte Friedman of Rogers Sportsnet. Bowness has incredible passion for coaching hockey, and can be seen regularly with a smile. He has coached 803 NHL games over five separate decades.
“Few takeaways from from new Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness… ‘the biggest change you have to make is the compete. You don’t score your way into the playoffs. I know this team is really good. As I’ve watched them play, I thought, I think I could help that team.'”
This is from an X posted by Brian Giesenschlag, the co-host of Blue Jackets Live. It is interesting that Bowness is confident he can turn the Blue Jackets around. They are seven points back of the Philadelphia Flyers for a playoff spot.
“Dick Bowness at 70 years young stepping back behind the bench for his 43rd year in the national Hockey League is something. You simply can’t keep Bones away from scheming up a neutral zone forecheck into the wee hours of the night. He lives for a glass of red wine after a big Tuesday night win on the road on the bird heading to the next city wondering if he should change the line up or ride the guys he’s got. Bones is a national treasure. And not in the Nick Cage way, but as a lifer in the National. What is Ace going to do without Bones? The game is better when Bones is behind the bench in a 1/4 Windsor knot and hair that looks like it got blow dried with an industrial car wash dryer.”
This is a very descriptive quotation from Jordan Schmaltz of homeby3.shop.
“The past few weeks I was vocal in my criticism of how things were going for the Columbus Blue Jackets. But I will always be loyal to this franchise. I proudly wear my CBJ gear around town and to games. I’m very excited about this fresh start with Rick Bowness.”
This is from Blue Jackets fan Geoff Miller. Despite the struggles in generating wins since coming into the league, there are passionate Blue Jackets fans.
