Monday, July 5, 2010

Columbus Blue Jackets Name Bob Boughner Assistant Coach

Press Release

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets announced July 5 that former National Hockey League player and Windsor Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner has joined the club as an assistant coach. The addition of Boughner (pronounced BOOG-nuhr) completes new Jackets Head Coach Scott Arniel's coaching staff.

"Bob has become one of the top young coaches in the game and we are very pleased to have him join our coaching staff," said Arniel. “He enjoyed a long and successful career as an NHL player and has achieved a great deal as the head coach of the Windsor Spitfires the past four seasons. I know he is really excited about this opportunity and we're very pleased to welcome him to the Blue Jackets organization."

Boughner (pronounced BOOG-nuhr) has compiled a 166-80-26 record (.646 winning percentage) over the past four seasons as the president and head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires, leading the club to back-to-back Memorial Cup championships in 2009 and 2010. After posting an 18-43-7 mark in his first season in 2006-07, he led Windsor to a 41-15-12 mark in 2007-08, a 57-10-1 record in 2008-09 and a 50-12-6 record last season. The Spitfires captured the OHL’s West Division title each of the past two years and Boughner received Ontario Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year honors in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

He also served as head coach of Team Canada's Men's Under-18 National squad and led them to a 4-0 record and the Gold Medal at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in the Czech Republic. Last month, he was selected to serve as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Championships.

Selected by Detroit in the second round, 32nd overall, of the 1989 Entry Draft, Boughner appeared in 630 games as a defensemen with the Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche during an NHL playing career from 1995-06. He registered 15 goals and 57 assists for 72 points with 1,382 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus/minus rating of +27 and also collected 0-12-12 and 67 penalty minutes in 65 career Stanley Cup Playoffs games. Prior to his pro career, he played three seasons with the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Boughner was born on Mar. 8, 1971 in Windsor, Ontario. He and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of a son, Brady, and daughters, Molly, Emma and Lola.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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