4/18/22

Columbus Blue Jackets Director of Player Development Rick Nash has been named an assistant general manager for Canada’s National Men’s Team that will compete at the upcoming 2022 IIHF World Championships, the Blue Jackets and Hockey Canada announced today. This year’s tournament is slated for May 13-29 in Helsinki and Tampere, Finland.

The team’s hockey operations management group will be led by General Manager Shane Doan and include Nash and senior vice-president of hockey operations and assistant general manager Scott Salmond. The management group was selected Hockey Canada Chief Executive Officer Tom Renney President & Chief Operating Officer Scott Smith (Bathurst, N.B.) and Salmond.

“I am very excited to be a part of the management team for this year’s World Championships,” said Nash. “Playing for Team Canada was one of the greatest thrills of my hockey career and to now represent my country in this manner is humbling and a great honor.”

Nash, 37, is in his first year as the club’s director of player development after spending the previous two years as a special advisor to General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen. The club’s all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points, he registered 289 goals and 258 assists for 547 points with 568 penalty minutes in 674 games from 2002-12, serving as team captain from 2008-12. He became the first player in franchise history to have his number, 61, retired in March.

During his 15-year career, Nash registered 437-368-805 with 750 penalty minutes, 232 power play goals and 73 game-winners in 1,060 career games with the Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins and appeared in six All-Star Games. He also was a standout for Team Canada as he appeared in three Olympic Games (2006, 2010-gold, 2014-gold), four IIHF World Championships (2005-silver, 2007-gold, 2008-silver, 2011) and the 2002 IIHF World Junior Championships. 

The Blue Jackets return to action on Tuesday when they visit the San Jose Sharks. Game time from SAP Center is 10:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on Bally Sports Ohio and streamed on the Bally Sports app. Coverage begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show at 10 p.m. ET. The game can also be heard on the Columbus Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, and online at bluejackets.com.

COURTESY COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS COMMUNICATIONS