Don Waddell, a longtime NHL executive, has committed to a multi-year contract to work as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ general manager, alternate governor, and president of hockey operations. The announcement was made today. John Davidson, who has led the team’s hockey operations for ten of the previous twelve years, has also consented to take on the roles of senior adviser and alternate governor, the club stated. On Wednesday, Waddell will be presented at a press conference.
Governor John P. McConnell, the majority owner of the Blue Jackets, stated, “To our fans, we remain committed to providing all the necessary resources to build a team and organization that competes for the Stanley Cup.” “After getting to know Don over time, I think his leadership and experience will lead us to success.”
Waddell has been with the Hurricanes for ten years; from 2014 to 2018, he served as team president; since 2018, he has been both team president and general manager. With a 278-130-44 record over the previous six seasons, Carolina is ranked second in the NHL in terms of points percentage (.664 versus Boston’s.695) and third in terms of victories (Boston’s 289, Tampa Bay’s 283). The Hurricanes have progressed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs every year, won three division titles (2021–Central, 2022–Central, and 2023–Metropolitan), and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals twice (2019, 2023) in that span. 11 of the previous 12 seasons that Carolina had missed the playoffs were prior to him taking over as general manager.
With more than 40 years of experience as a player, scout, head coach, general manager, and team president, “Don Waddell is one of the most experienced and respected executives in our game,” Mike Priest, the president of the Blue Jackets and alternate governor, said. Most recently, he transformed the Carolina Hurricanes into one of the National Hockey League’s most successful teams. Don possesses every quality we were searching for at the start of this process, and we are excited to have him in charge of our hockey operations.
As an assistant general manager for the Detroit Red Wings, Waddell won a Stanley Cup victory during his NHL tenure, which he started in 1997–98. He became a general manager and vice president of hockey operations for the growing Atlanta Thrashers the next year. He remained in that position until 2010 when he was named team president. In addition, he held the positions of executive vice president and co-chair of the executive committee of the Atlanta Spirit, which is the parent organization of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the Thrashers, and Philips Arena. After that, he worked for the Pittsburgh Penguins for three years as a pro scout and consultant before moving to Carolina in 2014.
Davidson remarked, “I’ve known Don for a long time, and he is one of the great gentlemen in our business.” “He is an extremely intelligent, hardworking professional who has demonstrated a strong capacity to unite individuals in order to work toward a shared objective and succeed. I think today is fantastic for both our supporters and our company.
Throughout his career, the native of Detroit, Michigan, has also held a number of positions with USA Hockey. He was appointed international consultant in 2013 with an emphasis on talent discovery and coordination with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and the U.S. National Junior Team. He represented the United States as general manager of Team USA in the 2001, 2002, and 2005 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships as well as the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. In the 1983 IIHF World Championships, he had a part in Team USA’s gold medal win.
“Joining the Columbus Blue Jackets excites me much since this is an organization that provides all the necessary resources for success at the highest caliber,” Waddell declared. It’s a fantastic city with ardent supporters, capable ownership, top-notch facilities, and a competitive spirit. Thank you to Mike Priest, John Davidson, and the McConnell family for this opportunity. I’m excited to be a part of this community.
Waddell was twice voted IHL Executive of the Year (1992–1993, 1995–1996). He worked for ten years as executive vice president and general manager of International Hockey League (IHL) franchises in San Diego (1990–1995) and Orlando (1995–1997) before starting his NHL managing career. He was vice president of RDV Sports in Orlando and a member of the executive committee that managed the Orlando Solar Bears of the IHL, the Orlando Magic of the NBA, and the company’s retail and aviation ventures.
During his four years as a defenseman in Division I college hockey, Waddell studied business management at Northern Michigan University from 1976 to 1980. He spent three years with the Los Angeles Kings after being selected in the seventh round of the 1978 NHL Draft. He went on to play professionally for nine seasons, primarily in the IHL. Throughout his time with the Thrashers, he also held the position of interim head coach twice (in 2002–03 and 2007–08) and head coach of the IHL’s San Diego Gulls in 1991–92.
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