The Columbus Blue Jackets are set behind the bench for the 2024-25 season.
One day after the announcement that Cleveland Monsters assistant Mike Haviland was being promoted to the Blue Jackets in a similar role, the club announced Thursday that Scott Ford has been hired to complete the staff of new head coach Dean Evason.
"Working with Dean, we identified Mike and Scott as two well-respected, energetic and personable individuals to join our club," said President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell. "Along with Steve (McCarthy), Jared (Boll) and Nik (Backstrom), we believe that we have a staff that will be incredible assets for our players."
NEWS: #CBJ have finalized their coaching staff for the 2024-25 #NHL season.
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) August 8, 2024
Mike Haviland and Scott Ford join the club with current assistant coaches Steve McCarthy, Jared Boll and Niklas Backstrom (goaltending) on Head Coach Dean Evason's staff.https://t.co/FW9PcMwbqa
Ford joins the Blue Jackets from the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals, where he was also an assistant. The Admirals are the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators.
The 44-year-old is no stranger to Evason, as the former defenseman played for the new Blue Jackets bench boss between 2012 and 2015, including as a team captain for a portion of that time. Upon his retirement as a player, Ford was named an assistant coach on the Admirals staff — a role he kept after Evason left to join the Minnesota Wild organization.
Haviland, 57, is back in the NHL for the first time in over a decade. Between 2008 and 2012 he was an assistant for the Chicago Blackhawks, including for the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup championship in 2010.
He had been with the Monsters for the last two seasons as a defense and penalty kill specialist. Before that, Haviland spent seven years as the head coach of Colorado College.
“(Haviland and Ford) bring a lot of playing and coaching experience with a deep understanding of the game," said Evason. "(They have) the passion and strong work ethics that will help push our team forward.”
Haviland and Ford replace assistant coaches Josef Boumedienne and Mark Recchi. Boumedienne's contract was not renewed this summer, while the club announced earlier this week that Recchi had been fired with one year remaining on his contract.
