Gregory Campbell and the Columbus Blue Jackets might not have quite seen eye-to-eye regarding the end of his NHL days, but apparently that didn’t sour their working relationship.
The gritty forward is retiring and moving on to a position as player development coach with the Blue Jackets, as Campbell told the Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline.
“I had a lot of time to think about things over the last six or seven months,” Campbell said. “I wasn’t ready to stop playing, but that’s how it ends for most guys, and when it happens, you’ve got to move on. I feel like I have a lot to offer, but I also have a lot to learn, too, and the management group here was willing to give me an opportunity that will let me experience different parts of the game.”
Portzline notes that Campbell will work with two other former players to develop prospects: Chris Clark (who handles North American players) and Jarkko Ruutu (European prospects).
That stands as a gritty group, but if 11 years of NHL experience aren’t enough, Campbell can point to that moment when he fought through a shift despite a shot breaking his leg.
One wonders if Gregory can follow in his father Colin Campbell’s footsteps as an executive.
Colin Campbell, Gregory's father, had 11-year career (636 games) before long coaching career. Has been in #NHL front office since late 1990s
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 9, 2017