Official: Blue Jackets Name Scott Arniel Head Coach

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Tuesday afternoon that Scott Arniel is their next head coach. Here is the press release from the team:

The Columbus Blue Jackets have named Scott Arniel as the new head coach of the National Hockey League franchise, club General Manager Scott Howson announced June 8. Arniel (pronounced ahr-NEEL) agreed to a three-year contract through the 2012-13 season and was introduced at a press conference today at Nationwide Arena.

“Scott Arniel possesses all the qualities we were looking for in a head coach and we are very pleased to have him join the Blue Jackets organization,” said Howson. “He played in the NHL for many years, was an assistant coach in the league and has been successful in developing young players. Scott has been one of the top coaches in the American Hockey League the past four years, averaging 45 wins and 99 points a season playing an attacking, up-tempo game.”

“I am excited to have Scott Arniel join Scott Howson to lead our team together as the Blue Jackets begin a new era in our 10th NHL season in 2010-11,” said club president Mike Priest. “I think in these men we have two individuals whose abilities and compatibilities will compliment each other very well as we continue to build a team that will compete at a very high level year in and year out.”

Arniel, 47, joins the Blue Jackets after spending four seasons as head coach of the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose, the top affiliate for the Vancouver Canucks. He led the club to a 181-106-33 record (.617) from 2006-10, including North Division titles during the 2006-07 and 2008-09 seasons, four playoff appearances and a trip to the 2009 Calder Cup Final.

For more on the hiring and the Blue Jackets, check The Cannon.