The Winnipeg Jets broke into today’s headlines with the news that current Head Coach Rick Bowness has opted for retirement after two seasons at the helm of the franchise.
Just a day after stating that he “knew what he wanted to do” during the season-end interviews, the quick decision has many questioning how it came about. Did GM Kevin Cheveldayoff tell Bones’ that he was no longer the best candidate to coach the Jets? Did Bowness think leaving the game of hockey for good was a better outlook than coaching Winnipeg for one more season?
Well, after listening to the press conference, I don’t think there is any question that retirement was a decision that Bowness made in consultation with his wife Judy and his children. Throughout the conversation, there were several mentions of Rick & Judy’s recent health issues being a key factor but there is absolutely no doubt that Bones’ heart wants to continue to be around a game that he loves dearly. One question from a reporter asking what he’ll miss about being around an NHL team, the long-time NHL coach broke down when talking about the comradery he shares with his players and staff members.
After playing 173 NHL games as a player, Rick Bowness switched to the coaching ranks at a young age in 1983-84 in the AHL, but quickly made the jump to the NHL when he went behind the bench for the Winnipeg Jets as an Assistant. Bones would go on to coach 7 more NHL franchises (Boston, Ottawa, NY Islanders, Phoenix, Vancouver, Tampa Bay, & Dallas) before ending his career with two more seasons in Winnipeg.
Here is what the Winnipeg Jets organization released along with Rick Bowness’ retirement announcement:
In 2023-24, Winnipeg set club records for road wins (25), winning streak (eight games, twice: Dec. 30/23-Jan. 11/24 and Apr. 1-18/24), and point streak (14 games: 12-0-2 from Dec. 13/23-Jan.11/24). The Jets also set a franchise record by going 35 consecutive games allowing three goals or fewer (Nov. 4/23-Jan. 20/24). During that stretch, they also set a club record with a 14-game run without allowing more than two goals (Dec. 20/23- Jan. 20/24). Their 52 wins matched the franchise record set in 2017-18. Bowness was named a finalist for the 2023-24 Jack Adams Award which is awarded to “the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success”.
Bowness served as a coach for eight different franchises and was behind the bench for 17 playoff appearances, including trips to the finals as an associate coach with the Vancouver Canucks in 2011, as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015, and as Dallas Stars head coach in 2020. He is one of only three head coaches (along with Scotty Bowman and Pat Quinn) to serve behind the bench in five different decades. His 2,726 games as an NHL coach are the most by anyone in league history.
Prior to Rick Bowness coming aboard last season, the Winnipeg Jets scored 252 goals while allowing 257 goals against under a combination of Paul Maurice & Dave Lowry. In his first season in charge, Bones reduced the goals against by 32 but also saw the offensive output fall short by 10. This year, the Jets won the William Jennings Trophy for least goals allowed (199), a reduction of 26 goals from Bowness’ first season and a whopping 58 under what the Maurice-Lowry combo led team allowed. While Bones’ system will never result in huge amounts of offense, Winnipeg did produce more offense (2 goals) in his final year when compared to the season before he joined the franchise.
So, now there is one more thing on Chevy’s To Do List in the off-season, with a search for a new Head Coach being one of the more important. I personally believe the new person needs to be in place prior to the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, so their input into the types of players that would fit their system is received prior to making any selections. Also, the draft is the start of any trade possibilities and you would certainly hope that a coach would have a say on who the team acquires or trades. Throw in that the Jets need to determine what type of system would work best with the expected roster next season and whittle down the available coaching options accordingly.
I won’t go into who I think should be the next Winnipeg bench boss, but I certainly do hope that they are open to all kinds of data (from the eye test, to the gut feelings, as well as math-based info).
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