COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Blue Jackets have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with Jarmo Kekalainen to serve as the club’s general manager, replacing Scott Howson, who was fired yesterday.
Kekalainen has been the president and general manager of Jokerit in the Finnish Elite League since 2010, Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations John Davidson said.
The team fired Howson yesterday amid another slow start to a season on his watch.
“Scott Howson is a caring man who gave everything he had to the Columbus Blue Jackets over the past six years. This was a difficult decision but one that I thought was in the best interest of moving our hockey club forward,” President of Hockey Operations John Davidson said.
Howson was named the second GM in the Blue Jackets’ history on June 15, 2007 and the franchise compiled a 173-190-59 record during his tenure, making their only playoff appearance in 2009 after finishing with a franchise-best 41-31-10 record.
The club finished last in the NHL with 65 points last season and currently stands near the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 4-7-2 record.
The point man in day-to-day hockey operations for nearly six seasons, Howson also drew significant criticism for orchestrating last summer’s trade that sent franchise cornerstone Rick Nash to the New York Rangers.
The Blue Jackets return to action Friday when they visit the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m./FOX Sports Ohio HD).