Before the summer got fully under way, the Blue Jackets announced that two assistant coaches would not be brought back next season. While one name from last season is still around, there is at least one apparent opening behind the bench in Columbus. Maybe more than that.
Today, we'll talk about two names that the 5th Line should not be surprised to hear, should the team hire one or the other for one of these vacancies. I think there is a good chance that either could be a strong candidate here.
Bones, Boller, and...
As the 5th Line is well aware, GM Don Waddell started cleaning house in early January. He fired head coach Dean Evason and one of his assistant coaches (Steve McCarthy), bringing 71 year old Rick Bowness on as head coach.
The team responded well, but ultimately collapsed down the stretch. A large part of that collapse was due to their overall structure and special teams. You know, things that are controllable in part by the coaching staff.
So, it should not come as a surprise that Waddell moved on from two more assistants at the end of the season. Scott Ford and Mike Haviland were both shown the door last month, and the team immediately begins searching for the right people to round out their coaching staff.
It's not uncommon for a head coach to be allowed to name his own assistants. From that perspective, the team cleaning house makes a lot of sense. Bowness will certainly have a say in who gets brought aboard, but ultimately it's up to the GM and President of Hockey Operations (Waddell) to make sure he has the right people in the right places.
Part of that game plan should include a strategy for what the team does once Bowness eventually does move on. That is one area where this team has struggled throughout its existence. They have the proper management in place. Now it's time to have a long-term plan for their coaching staff.
With that in mind, I expect at least one assistant coach to be hired as an heir apparent of sorts. And, I know of two guys that should be held in high consideration.
Will Trent get his shot?
The Blue Jackets are in an interesting spot right now, with one of the game's great minds running their bench. But, they also have one of the game's more promising up and coming head coaches in the system.
Trent Vogelhuber is an Ohio guy. He's a Central Ohio guy. Heck, he's a Blue Jackets guy.
Born and raised in Dublin, Trent grew up in the Central Ohio hockey system, ultimately becoming the first Columbus-area player ever taken at the NHL Draft, back in 2007. By the Blue Jackets, no less. He remained in the CBJ system for almost 10 years, before signing with the Colorado Avalanche organization and playing out his final two years of pro hockey.
After that, he took his talents behind the bench in Cleveland, and he has been there ever since. He spent four years as an assistant coach with the Monsters, ultimately earning the promotion to head coach in 2022. Since then, the team has been good. Really good.
Under Trent's tutelage, the Monsters are 145-108-35 (.503%). While that may not look great on paper, allow me to point you towards the NHL team's play through that same era. As a result of the uncertainty in Columbus, there has been a lot of roster turnover in Cleveland.
All the while, the Monsters keep competing. They show up each and every night energized and ready to work. It's only a matter of time before someone gives Trent Vogelhuber a shot at an NHL job. That someone should be the Blue Jackets. He's an excellent motivator, and he's earned his chance.
Whether he's given that shot this summer or not, there is another up and coming guy in coaching circles with Central Ohio ties. And, he has a history with the current GM.
What about Misha?
Misha Donskov is another Central Ohio guy. Though he was born in Montreal, his family moved to the Columbus area back in 1990. They were a big part of the budding hockey culture in Columbus throughout the 90s and early 2000s.
In fact, Misha was employed by the Blue Jackets as a developmental consultant, while working as a minor hockey coach all the way back in 2001. Then, he was pried away by the Atlanta Thrashers, who were managed at the time by none other than Waddell himself.
Could a reunion between Waddell, Donskov and the Blue Jackets be in the works?
It just might. And, I think this would be a very intelligent hire. Currently, Misha is working as a head coach for Hockey Canada at the World Championships. He will hold that same role next season, and is also slated to coach the Canadian Juniors at the U20s next season.
He has served as an assistant coach in the NHL for six seasons, working for the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars. He won a Stanley Cup in that role with Vegas-then brought it home to Columbus. Maybe he wants to bring the Cup here for real next time?
Like Vogelhuber, Donskov is an up and comer in NHL coaching circles. I think it's imperative that the Blue Jackets have this line of thinking with whoever they look to add behind the bench. They need a coach that can soak up some of Bowness' knowledge, while subsequently taking over the reins and helping this team grow as they pivot towards contention.
Remember these two names, 5th Line. We'll rejoice if either of them are brought on board.
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