The lengthy await an announcement is over. The Columbus Blue Jackets have discovered their subsequent head coach. On Monday, the crew introduced that they’ve employed Dean Evason to run the bench.
Evason was one in all three reported finalists together with Todd McLellan and Jay Woodcroft. After the Blue Jackets couldn’t come to an settlement with McLellan, they introduced in each Evason and Woodcroft for interviews.
Ultimately, it was the expertise of Evason that gained out.
Reactions to Hiring
GM Don Waddell stated all alongside that he was on the lookout for a head coach that might have NHL expertise. Evason spent elements of 5 seasons with the Wild amassing a document of 147-77-27 in 251 video games. His .639 factors share is fifth amongst all lively coaches within the NHL. Here’s what each Waddell and Evason needed to say.
“Dean Evason brings to teaching what he introduced as a participant – ardour, arduous work and tenacity – and I couldn’t be happier that he’ll function the following head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets,” Waddell stated. “He has spent nicely over twenty years on this league as a participant, assistant coach and head coach and I imagine that have, mixed with the excellent particular person he’s, will enable Dean to get the most effective out of our gamers and put us ready to succeed as a crew.”
“I’m extremely proud and honored to be named the pinnacle coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets and admire very a lot the chance that Don, the McConnell household and Mike Priest have prolonged to me,” Evason stated. “There’s a nice core and a number of younger expertise on this crew. I’m actually trying ahead to working with this group and serving to us turn into a crew that performs extraordinarily arduous and competes on the highest stage.”
Evason Brings Expertise
Evason brings a wealth of expertise to the Blue Jackets and has had various ranges of success alongside the way in which. Earlier than becoming a member of the Wild in 2018, he was the pinnacle coach of AHL Milwaukee from 2012-2018. He guided the Admirals to the Calder Cup Playoffs in 4 of his six seasons there.
Evason was additionally an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals from 2005-2012. The Capitals made 5 consecutive journeys to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in his final 5 seasons earlier than leaving for Milwaukee.
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Not solely does Evason carry expertise to the desk, he has a observe document of growth. The Blue Jackets wanted a mixture of expertise and success in growth. His time with the Admirals was revered for the work he did growing gamers. The 2017-18 Admirals had the likes of Juuse Saros, Yakov Trenin and Alexandre Provider on it. Again in his most profitable season of 2015-16, he coached a younger Kevin Fiala.
Evason will likely be launched as head coach at a press convention on Tuesday morning at Nationwide Area. The provision will likely be held at 10:30 A.M. jap and will likely be streamed on the Blue Jackets’ YouTube web page.
