The Blue Jackets finalized their coaching staff on Thursday, bringing aboard two faces who are brand new to the organization-though, not brand new to Columbus or its management entirely.
The team hired Cody Ward to serve as video coach, replacing Aron Augustus in the role. Ward spent the last four years as an assistant video coach for the San Jose Sharks, which came after one season as the video coach for the AHL Chicago Wolves-a year where they won the Calder Cup.
That makes him a familiar face to Don Waddell, who was the GM of the Carolina Hurricanes at the time. Chicago was their AHL affiliate, so from that regard, this hiring makes perfect sense. This wasn't as noteworthy as the other hire the Jackets made yesterday, though.
Don Granato circles back to Arch City.
This one feels like it has been years in the making. Don Granato returns to Columbus, 27 years after serving as head coach of our beloved Chill for their last two seasons of existence.
If you go back a little further, he was also a member of the inaugural Chill team, scoring 26 goals and 90 points in 103 games; the only two seasons of his pro playing career.
Don quit playing and went straight to the coaching ranks in the 1993-94 season. He spent four seasons as a head coach in the USHL before coming back to Columbus and taking over the head coaching job with the Chill.
In his first season back, the team went 33-30-7, missing out on the playoffs. But in his second season (the team's final year in Columbus), they took a big step, going 39-24-7 and winning their first round playoff matchup.
Since then, it's been a long journey back to Columbus for Granato. He has coached at nearly every major level in North America: the ECHL, AHL, USHL, NCAA, and of course, the NHL; including four seasons as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.
All of this sandwiches a scary run with Hodgkin's lymphoma, which forced him to take time away from the game. We're glad he's healthy, and excited to see him back in Central Ohio.
This hiring is about more than familiarity.
Hiring Granato makes a lot of sense, and not just because he's familiar to the city of Columbus.
First off, he's known as one of the game's good people. Waddell has been working hard to rebuild this organization's foundation with quality people who understand how to treat one another. On the ice and off the ice, this has been a focal point (aside from one disastrous decision this week).
Second, and by far most importantly: Granato has a track history of helping young players. Particularly, on the offensive side of things. This hiring may not go down as much more than a footnote in CBJ history, but it could be a crucial one.
If bringing Granato aboard can help guys like Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Denton Mateychuk, Cole Sillinger, and the rest of the young talent take that next step; this team is going places. Combining his softer touch and offensive mind with Rick Bowness' heavier handed, defense-first style, should give this team the best of both worlds.
Finally, the last reason: he has head coaching experience. I think this was also a targeted need for the Blue Jackets this summer. Bowness isn't exactly a spring chicken, and while I believe that Trent Vogelhuber will be this team's heir apparent; bringing another experienced guy to the bench was vital.
On paper, I really like this hiring for all of these reasons. I'm interested to see how it all works.
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