In a surprising turn of events, the Winnipeg Jets head coach, Rick Bowness, has taken a leave of absence from the team due to a health concern involving his wife, Judy. The announcement was made on Monday, stating that Judy had experienced a seizure the previous evening and is currently hospitalized. As Bowness tends to his family matters, assistant coach Scott Arniel will be serving as the interim coach until Bowness is able to return.
Rick Bowness, 68, has been with the Winnipeg Jets for just over a year, having been hired in July 2022. In his first season as head coach, the Jets achieved a respectable record of 46-33-3. However, their playoff journey was cut short as they were eliminated in the first round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights. This season, the Jets started with a slightly rocky 2-3-0 record. Despite the early setbacks, Bowness has proven himself to be a capable and experienced coach.
Stepping in as interim coach is assistant coach Scott Arniel, a former NHL player who had a four-season stint with the Jets from 1982 to 1986. Arniel played in a total of 730 NHL games before transitioning into the coaching world. He briefly served as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010 to 2012. Throughout his coaching career, Arniel has held assistant roles with teams such as the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, and most recently, the Winnipeg Jets alongside Rick Bowness.
It is worth noting that Arniel and Bowness have a shared history during their time in Winnipeg. Both were part of the Jets organization during the 1984-1985 season, with Arniel as a player and Bowness as an assistant coach. Now, Arniel has the opportunity to take the reins and continue the work that he and Bowness started together.
As the Winnipeg Jets face uncertainty with their head coach on leave, the team will now turn to Scott Arniel to guide them through the upcoming games. Their next challenge will be against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. The Jets will need to adapt quickly and work together as a team to overcome any potential disruptions caused by the absence of their head coach.
During this challenging time for Rick Bowness and his family, it is crucial for the Winnipeg Jets organization and the hockey community to rally around them with support and well wishes. The players will undoubtedly be playing with a sense of determination and unity in honor of their absent coach and his wife.
The Winnipeg Jets find themselves facing an unexpected twist in their season as head coach Rick Bowness takes a leave of absence. Assistant coach Scott Arniel will temporarily fill the role of interim coach, drawing from his experience as a player and coach. The team must now navigate the challenges ahead, demonstrating resilience and teamwork in the absence of their leader. Through it all, the Jets will undoubtedly have the unwavering support of their coach, Rick Bowness, and the entire hockey community.
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