COLUMBUS — The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Monday that they had relieved Head Coach Pascal Vincent of his duties with the club. The announcement was made by newly hired Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell. No further decisions have been made in regards to the rest of the club’s coaching staff, but Waddell told the media that the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
“As I spent time with Pascal over the past few weeks, I found him to be an outstanding person and smart hockey coach who worked very hard last year under trying circumstances, but I believe a change behind the bench is in our team’s best interest,” said Waddell. “On behalf of the organization I want to thank Pascal for his work ethic, professionalism and contributions during his three seasons with the Blue Jackets.”
Vincent, 52, joined the Blue Jackets as an associate coach in 2021 before assuming the head coaching duties on Sept. 17, 2023. The Blue Jackets struggled their way to a 27-43-12 (66 pts./.402 pts. percentage) for the 2023-24 season. Prior to Columbus, Vincent spent 10 seasons as a member of the Winnipeg Jets organization, including five at the helm of the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose from 2016-21.
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