The Columbus Blue Jackets are leaning into their past to shape their future, announcing two major promotions within their hockey operations department. Chris Clark has been elevated to assistant general manager, while Rick Nash steps into the role of director of player personnel and development. Both moves were made official by club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell, who now has Clark, Nash, and recently hired vice president of hockey operations Laurence Gilman forming the core of the Blue Jackets’ senior leadership team.
It’s a homegrown leadership group - and that’s no accident. Clark and Nash aren’t just former NHLers; they’re former Blue Jackets who understand the DNA of the franchise.
Waddell made it clear: these are people who "care very deeply" about the organization, and their work ethic and intelligence have earned them more than just a title bump. They’ve earned trust at the highest level.
Clark’s Climb Through the Ranks
At 49, Chris Clark has been steadily climbing the organizational ladder since joining the Blue Jackets’ front office in 2012. Most recently, he served as director of player personnel and general manager of the Cleveland Monsters, Columbus’ AHL affiliate. That dual role - overseeing development and managing the farm system - gave Clark a front-row seat to the growth of the franchise’s young talent.
He’s also got international experience under his belt, serving as general manager of the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2023 IIHF World Championships in Finland. That’s the kind of resume that speaks to both player development chops and big-picture vision.
Clark’s playing days were defined by grit and leadership. A veteran of 607 NHL games, he logged time with the Blue Jackets, Capitals, and Flames, racking up 214 points and 700 penalty minutes across 11 seasons.
He was a key figure in Washington, where he wore the “C” from 2006 to 2009, and helped Calgary reach the 2004 Stanley Cup Final. Drafted in the third round by Calgary in 1994, Clark carved out a career through hard work - something that’s clearly carried over to his post-playing days.
Nash’s Second Act in Columbus
Rick Nash’s name is synonymous with Blue Jackets hockey. The franchise’s first true star, he’s still the all-time leader in goals and points - and the first player in team history to have his number retired. Now, he’s continuing to shape the team’s identity from the front office.
Since joining the organization in 2019 as special assistant to the GM, Nash has steadily taken on more responsibility. He was named director of player development in 2021 and moved into the director of hockey operations role in 2024. With this new title, he’ll be even more involved in shaping the future of the roster - evaluating talent, helping prospects transition to the NHL, and building a sustainable pipeline of contributors.
As a player, Nash was a force. Over 15 NHL seasons, he racked up 805 points in 1,060 games, suiting up for the Blue Jackets, Rangers, and Bruins.
He was a six-time All-Star - five of those appearances coming in a Columbus sweater - and served as the Jackets’ captain from 2008 to 2012. His legacy in Columbus is secure, but his impact is far from finished.
Internationally, Nash was a staple for Team Canada, representing his country in three Olympics (winning gold in 2010 and 2014) and four World Championships. He’s also brought that experience into management, serving as GM for Canada’s 2024 World Championship team and earning silver as an assistant GM in 2022.
A Leadership Team with Roots and Reach
With Clark, Nash, and Gilman reporting directly to Waddell, the Blue Jackets are building a leadership team that blends institutional knowledge with experience at every level of the game - from the NHL to the international stage. It’s a group that knows what it takes to compete and develop talent in today’s NHL, and more importantly, a group that’s deeply invested in the Blue Jackets’ long-term success.
These promotions aren’t just about rewarding loyalty - they’re about putting the right people in place to guide the franchise forward. And in Clark and Nash, Columbus has two leaders who’ve worn the sweater, know the culture, and are now helping shape what comes next.