(Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

Rick Bowness agreed to a contract extension to return as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2026-27, the team announced Thursday.

Bowness, 71, replaced Dean Evason on Jan. 12 and guided Columbus to a 21-11-5 record.

'Rick has done an outstanding job since his arrival and it was obvious to all of us that he is the right person to lead our club as head coach,' general manager Don Waddell said. 'Rick developed strong relationships with our players who will continue to benefit greatly from his leadership as we look to learn from the hard lessons of this season and work towards our goal of competing for a Stanley Cup.'

Bowness is 331-419-42 with 48 ties in 840 career games with eight different teams.

'I have really enjoyed my time with this organization and absolutely love being part of it and working with these players,' Bowness said. 'We're all very disappointed by how our season ended and we have a lot of work to do, but we will do what's necessary to be the type of team we want to be and that our great fans expect us to be. I'm excited about continuing the work we started here, and I appreciate the confidence in me shown by Don, (team president) Mike Priest and our ownership group led by the McConnell family.'

Thursday's extension comes just two days after Bowness blasted his team for missing the playoffs following a 2-7-1 collapse in its final 10 games.

'These guys, they don't care. Losing is not important enough to them. It doesn't bother them. How can you go out and play like that? I should have done this a month ago. But this is why we are where we are,' Bowness said after Columbus dropped a 2-1 decision Tuesday night to the Washington Capitals.

'This is why we're out of the playoffs. That kind of effort. You have to hate losing. I don't care if it's a meaningless game. I don't care. Show up and compete.'

Bowness led Dallas to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 as interim head coach, with the Stars losing to Tampa Bay in six games. He has also coached the Winnipeg Jets (both editions of the franchise), Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders and then-Phoenix Coyotes.

As a forward, Bowness recorded 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists) in 173 NHL games from 1975-81 with the then-Atlanta Flames, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Jets.--Field Level Media