Blue Jackets, Tortorella agree on 2-year extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets and John Tortorella have agreed to a two-year extension that puts the coach under contract through the 2020-21 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Tortorella, 60, is the franchise's all-time wins leader with a record of 129-87-23 (.588 points percentage) in 239 games since taking over as the Blue Jackets' head coach on Oct. 21, 2015. He led the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his first two full seasons behind the bench and was named the NHL Coach of the Year after the 2016-17 season.

"Our team has been one of the winningest in the NHL over the past two seasons and John Tortorella has played a critical role in that success and in raising the level of our team's play since his arrival," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement. "His passion and commitment to being the best have permeated our team and we believe will lead to even greater success in the future."

Tortorella has also spent time as a head coach with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning. In 1,175 career NHL games, he has a 575-462-138 record (.548).

Columbus opens training camp on Thursday.