Columbus Blue Jackets Assistant Coach Boughner to Step Down

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that assistant coach Bob Boughner will step down after less than a year with the club.

Boughner was pulling double duty last season as an assistant coach as well as the owner for the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires. Boughner served as the Spitfires head coach from 2006 to 2010, before leaving to join the Blue Jackets in July.

"I want to thank Scott Howson, Scott Arniel and the McConnell family for the opportunity to work with the Blue Jackets last season," Boughner said.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Columbus and regret that I am not going to be there to see this team continue to develop and accomplish the goals we've set for it. This was a very difficult decision, but with my family and business commitments in Windsor it was in our best interest as a family."

When asked about Boughner's resignation, head coach Scott Arniel stated that although he is disappointed that Boughner will be leaving his staff, he both understands and supports his decision to put his family first.

"He worked extremely hard last season and was a great asset to myself, the coaching staff and our players," Arniel said. "For that, I am very thankful and I wish him all the best moving forward."

While as the coach for the Spitfires, Boughner led the team to 166-80-26 record, as well as back-to-back Memorial Cup Championships in 2009 and 2010.

Before coaching, Boughner spent time in the NHL as a defenseman and played for several teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and the Colorado Avalanche.