Winnipeg Jets go back in time and hire Rick Bowness as next head coach – Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca

After a lengthy search that included number one choice Barry Trotz choosing not to return to an NHL bench this season, the Winnipeg Jets hired Rick Bowness to become the fourth head coach in version 2.0 of the franchise.

The former Dallas Stars and Jets 1.0 bench manager succeeds Dave Lowry, who was not offered a contract after going 26-22-6. Lowry was working on an interim basis following the Dec. 17 resignation of Paul Maurice, who has since accepted the Florida Panthers head coaching job.

Bowness, 67, returns to Winnipeg after playing 45 games for the Jets during the 1980-81 season, serving as assistant coach from 1984-87 and then taking over as Jets head coach for the final 28 games in 1988. -89 after the late Dan Maloney was fired.

Throughout his long professional coaching career, which began in 1982-83 as a player coach at the AHL’s Sherbrooke, the Moncton-born Bowness was the first head coach of his hometown AHL Hawks in his season. inaugural in 1987. 88, as well as the Ottawa Senators for their 1992-93 expansion season after guiding the Boston Bruins to the Conference Finals in the playoffs the previous year.

The popular and highly respected Bowness has also held head coaching positions with the NY Islanders and Phoenix Coyote. That was before he was promoted in Dallas during the 2019-20 campaign, following Jim Montgomery’s firing by the Stars on Dec. 10, 2019, due to “unprofessional conduct.”

Ironically, Montgomery was reportedly considered a top candidate for the vacant head coaching job in Winnipeg, along with Rick Tocchet, Pascal Vincent and Scott Arniel.

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“Bones,” as he is known in hockey circles, managed Dallas to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final at the Edmonton Bubble and remained head coach for the next two seasons. He then resigned on May 20 after Calgary eliminated the Stars in seven games during the first round of the 2022 playoffs.

“After careful consideration with my wife, Judy, we feel it is best to step aside and allow the organization the opportunity to go in a different direction in the head coaching position,” Bowness said after the official announcement of the stars.

“I would like to thank all the passionate fans and dedicated staff for their support and hard work during my time here. It has been an honor for me and my family to represent the Stars and the city of Dallas.”

In addition to compiling a record of 212-351-48-28 in 639 games as an NHL head coach, Bowness has also enjoyed much success as an assistant coach under Alain Vigneault in Vancouver from 2006 to 2013 and under Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay. from 2013-18.

Bowness takes charge of a team that has undoubtedly underperformed in 2021-22. The Jets went 39-32-11 and finished sixth in the Central Division, missing the playoffs for the seventh time in 11 postseasons since the franchise moved from Atlanta.

There is a chance that some significant changes to the current roster could occur before the start of training camp during the third full week of September.

An official news conference to introduce Bowness to the media and fans is scheduled for 11:30 am Monday in Winnipeg before the start of NHL draft week in Montreal.