COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Don Waddell will be the next president of hockey operations, general manager and alternate governor.
John Davidson, who had been previously serving as the team’s president of hockey operations, will serve as a senior adviser and alternate governor.
“To our fans, we remain committed to providing all the necessary resources to build a team and organization that competes for the Stanley Cup,” said Blue Jackets majority owner and governor John P. McConnell. “After spending time getting to know Don, I believe his experience and leadership will take us down the path to success.”
Waddell had spent the previous 10 years with the Carolina Hurricanes, working in multiple roles, including as team president and general manager. The Hurricanes have not missed the playoffs since the 2017-2018 season. Waddell had stepped down as president and general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes in May.
The Blue Jackets have missed the playoffs in each of the past four seasons and have made three different coaching hires during that time.
The Detroit, Mich., native won a Stanley Cup championship as an assistant general manager with the Detroit Red Wings. He played four seasons of Division I collegiate hockey as a defenseman.
The Blue Jackets, in 23 seasons of existence, have made the playoffs six times and never gotten past the second round. Within the past year, Brad Larsen was fired as coach after two seasons, Mike Babcock was hired and then forced to resign on the eve of training camp after players voiced privacy concerns about his methods and then replaced by Pascal Vincent, who oversaw a team that lost 55 of its 82 games.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.