Blue Jackets President Mike Priest to Retire Sept. 30
Columbus published its 2026-27 management and training camp roster, confirming a front office handoff that leaves Chris Clark running the Cleveland Monsters.
Mike Priest will retire as president and alternate governor of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sept. 30. He has held the presidency since 2007.
John H. McConnell II will take over the club roles of president and governor effective Oct. 1, according to the Blue Jackets' announcement and 2026-27 management listing.
The change is at the top of the franchise's business and ownership structure. The hockey operations leadership remains unchanged: Don Waddell continues as president of hockey operations, general manager and alternate governor.
Chris Clark also remains assistant general manager of the Blue Jackets and general manager of the AHL's Cleveland Monsters, keeping the NHL and AHL roster operations under the same hockey management group.
- x.com/BlueJacketsPR/status/2100298903903981671↗
- thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/breaking-news-president-and-alternate-governor-to-retire↗
- 1stohiobattery.com/columbus-blue-jackets-news/2026/09/10148/mike-priest-to-retire-as-blue-jackets-president-john-h-mcconnell-ii-to-assume-duties↗
- nhl.com/bluejackets/news/camp-roster-2026-27↗
- nhl.com/bluejackets/team/staff-directory↗
