Columbus Blue Jackets Hire John Madden as Head Coach of Cleveland Monsters

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Monday that they have hired former New Jersey Devils forward and Florida Panthers assistant coach, John Madden, to become the head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, Cleveland Monsters. 

Madden will replace Jared Bednar behind the bench for the Monsters, after Bednar was named the head coach for the Colorado Avalanche last week, filling the vacancy in Denver left by Patrick Roy. 

Madden said, “I am really excited and would like to thank the Columbus Blue Jackets organization for the opportunity to serve as head coach of the defending Calder Champion, Cleveland Monsters. I am looking forward to working with Toby Petersen, Steve McCarthy, Manny Legace and the staff in Cleveland to continue to develop the young players in this organization in an environment that demands excellence on and off the ice.”   

The 43-year-old spent the past three seasons on the coaching staff for the Panthers, after working as a scout with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2012-2013 season. 

In 898 National Hockey League games with the Devils, Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks he has scored 165 goals and 183 assists, with a plus-20 rating. He added 21 goals and 22 assists in 121 Stanley Cup Playoff games. 

Madden hoisted the Stanley Cup as a member of the Devils in 2000 and 2003 and then again in 2010 with the Blackhawks. Following the 2000-2001 NHL season, he won the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL. 

Blue Jackets assistant general manager, Bill Zito said, “John Madden has a winning pedigree, having been a part of three Stanley Cup Championships and a collegiate national championship as a player and being a part of the coaching staff that helped the Florida Panthers become one of the NHL’s most improved clubs over the past three seasons. He is a smart, energetic young coach who we believe is the best person to lead our young prospects in Cleveland”

The Devils signed Madden as an undrafted free agent on June 26, 1997, following a four-year career with the University of Michigan. He helped lead the Wolverines to a national championship, in 1996 and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award following the 1996-1997 National Collegiate Athletic Association season, as he scored 26 goals and 37 assists.