JULY 22, 2022

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Columbus Blue Jackets Director of Pro Scouting Josef Boumedienne has been named assistant general manager for the Swedish national team through the 2025-26 season, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and Blue Jackets announced today.  Boumedienne will assist Tre Kroner Director of National Teams and General Manager Anders Lundberg in the selection of players that will represent the country at various tournaments, including the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Italy as well as the next four International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships.

“We are excited to add Josef Boumedienne to Tre Kronor’s front office,” said Lundberg. “Josef’s experience and skills as a scout, together with his wide network of contacts in the hockey world, will be huge assets for us in Tre Kronor.  We are grateful that the Columbus Blue Jackets has allowed this solution.”

A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Boumedienne has served as the Blue Jackets’ director of pro scouting since June 2021.  He originally joined the organization as its European scout on July 8, 2013 before serving as the club’s director of European scouting for five years from 2016-2021.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Tre Kronor, which is the highest honor in Swedish hockey,” said Boumedienne.  “I find it very inspiring to work together with and share experiences with Tre Kronor Head Coach Sam Hallam and his staff.”

The 44-year-old has also served as a scout for Lukko in Finland’s top professional league (Liiga) from 2018-2021.  Additionally, he stepped in as a coach for Brynas IF in the Swedish Hockey League in 2021 and helped the club win a relegation series against HV71.

A former defenseman, Boumedienne retired from hockey in 2013 following a 17-year playing career in North America and Europe that concluded with HC Slovan Bratislava in the Kontinental Hockey League.  After being selected by New Jersey in the fourth round, 91st overall, at the 1996 NHL Draft, he played in the NHL and American Hockey League from 2000-04 and 2007-09, registering four goals and 12 assists for 16 points and 36 penalty minutes in 47 career NHL games with New Jersey, Tampa Bay and Washington and 33-143-176 and 443 penalty minutes in 295 career AHL appearances.  He also played in Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and Russia during his career.

Boumedienne represented Sweden as a player at the 1997 and 1998 IIHF World Junior Championships.

‐ CBJ ‐

Single game tickets for all home games played at Nationwide Arena during the 2022-23 season are on sale now.  Full and partial season tickets for the Blue Jackets’ 2022-23 campaign are currently available for purchase.  Information on all ticketing options can be obtained by calling (614) 246-3350 or visiting BlueJackets.com/ticketplans.

COURTESY BLUE JACKETS COMMUNICATIONS