Monahan played 34 games under Bowness with Winnipeg during the 2023-24 season. He had 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) during that stretch.
“I really enjoyed playing for him,” Monahan said. “A lot of structure, heavy on details. I mean, he coached to win games. He did a great job with that team there in Winnipeg. A lot of fun to play for him.
“He can be hard on guys, he’s vocal. He’s fun to play for because he’s motivated to be out there to coach to get the two points every night, and I think he’s been through it all. He’s done it a long time, and he’s had a lot of success at it. So, you’ve got a lot of respect for a guy like that.”
Bowness is 310-408-37 with 48 ties in 803 games as an NHL head coach with the Jets, Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.
“I appreciate the opportunity to come to Columbus because it is a good organization with good people and this is a team that I think I can help improve,” Bowness said. “I’m thankful to Don and (Blue Jackets president) Mike Priest, and I’m really excited to work with our players and coaching staff to help get us where we want to go.”
Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said the coaching change was a signal that Waddell still has faith they have the ability to turn things around.
“I feel like this just tells the guys in here he still believes in us and believes in the season and getting something out of it,” Werenski said. “So, the message was clear to the players how he feels about it.”
NHL.com independent correspondent Craig Merz contributed to this report