Training camp has started, but the big news today within the Columbus Blue Jackets organization is taking place off the ice.
President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced Friday that Rick Nash has been named the director of hockey operations for the team.
This is a significant promotion for Nash, who had previously served as the director of player development since 2021. In his new role, Nash will be involved in all aspects of the team’s hockey operations department. He will also continue to direct the development of players throughout the organization.
BREAKING NEWS!
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 20, 2024
Rick Nash has been named our Director of Hockey Operations!
In addition, President and GM Don Waddell announced that Basil McRae will now serve as Director of Pro Scouting, and Zach Abdou was hired as Senior Manager of Hockey Operations.
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“Rick Nash is an extremely bright guy who has become an important part of our hockey operations leadership group,” said Waddell. “He is very passionate about the Columbus Blue Jackets and this community and has been a great resource for me since I arrived here in late-May."
"Rick made a significant impact on this organization as a player and will continue to do so in his role as director of hockey operations.”
Nash spent nine seasons with the Blue Jackets and is Columbus' only first overall pick in franchise history. He scored 289 goals and added 258 assists (547 points) while with Columbus; both are franchise records.
The former captain also had a taste of head leadership earlier this year when he served as the general manager for Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championships in Czechia.
In a pair of related moves, the team also announced the hiring of Zach Abdou as senior manager of hockey operations and that Basil McRae will now serve as director of pro scouting.
Abdou had served as the manager of hockey and business operations for the Carolina Hurricanes under Waddell.
McRae has been with Columbus as a scout since 2013, spent three seasons as the club’s director of player personnel between 2016-19 and has served as an assistant general manager since 2019.
