The Columbus Blue Jackets extended head coach Rick Bowness through the 2026-27 season, the team announced Thursday.
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.
"Rick has done an outstanding job since his arrival, and it was obvious to all of us that he is the right person to lead our club as head coach," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. "Rick developed strong relationships with our players, who will continue to benefit greatly from his leadership as we look to learn from the hard lessons of this season and work towards our goal of competing for a Stanley Cup."
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.
