Trent Vogelhuber Joins Columbus Blue Jackets Staff
Trent Vogelhuber, a 37‑year‑old native of Dublin, Ohio, has been appointed assistant coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a move that underscores the franchise’s confidence in his hockey acumen.
Vogelhuber’s path to the NHL bench began on the ice, where he skated for St. Charles, Bishop Watterson High School and later at Miami University before embarking on a seven‑year stretch in the American Hockey League. After hanging his skates following the 2017‑18 season, he transitioned to coaching, spending the past eight years at the helm of the Lake Erie/Cleveland Monsters.
Career Highlights and Playoff Runs
During his tenure with the Monsters, he guided the club to three playoff berths and a run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2024, a testament to his ability to develop talent and orchestrate competitive play.
Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness lauded Vogelhuber’s “knowledge and confidence,” noting that the new assistant brings a blend of on‑ice experience and coaching insight that the organization values. Vogelhuber has also learned from respected mentors such as Jon Cooper and Jared Bednar, as well as former NHL coaches John Madden, John Tortorella, Brad Larsen and Don Waddell.
Though his AHL career spanned seven seasons without an NHL call‑up, Vogelhuber retired in 2018 due to injury, a decision that paved the way for his full‑time coaching ambitions. He now returns to the Blue Jackets, a team he has long followed from the sidelines, eager to contribute to a roster that aims for sustained success.
The appointment reflects a broader strategy by the Blue Jackets to blend veteran perspective with fresh ideas, a balance that could prove pivotal as the franchise looks to build on recent progress. Vogelhuber’s excitement is palpable, and his determination to make an impact is already shaping the team’s preparatory work.