The Columbus Blue Jackets have fired head coach Ken Hitchcock . Assistant coach Claude Noel will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
After leading the team to its first every playoff appearance last season, Hitchcock and the Blue Jackets have struggled this season - going 22-26-9.
In a release, Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson said the team gave Hitchcock the opportunity to turn around a disappointing season but Howson said, "unfortunately that has not happened and it has become apparent that change is in the best interest of our organization."
