All articles tagged with #rick bowness
Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell announced that Rick Bowness will return as head coach for the 2026-27 season after agreeing to a new contract; Bowness took over on Jan. 12 and went 21-11-5 in 37 games, earning praise for his leadership as Columbus aims to contend for a Stanley Cup. The 71-year-old coach has a long NHL resume, including stints with the Jets and Stars, and expressed enthusiasm about continuing with the organization.
Veteran NHL coach Rick Bowness, who led Columbus from last in the Metropolitan Division to near playoff contention, exploded after a 2-1 home loss to Washington, accusing his players of not caring and vowing to “change this culture” if he returns, with a meeting with GM Don Waddell looming as the Jackets miss the playoffs.
After Columbus' 2-1 season-ending loss to Washington, coach Rick Bowness blasted the Blue Jackets' culture, saying some players 'don’t care' and that losing isn’t important enough to them. He cited 'three hits, 23 giveaways' and a late-season fade that left Columbus out of the playoffs for a sixth straight year, while signaling potential changes to the culture and hinting at his own future with the team.
Rick Bowness, 70, returns from retirement to coach the Columbus Blue Jackets, replacing Dean Evason. A lifelong NHL coach with 2,726 games coached (802 as head coach), he guided Winnipeg to a 52-24-6 mark in 2023-24 and was a Jack Adams finalist. Columbus, currently last in the Eastern Conference, hopes his defensive-first mindset can spark a turnaround; teammates and observers praised his love for the game and readiness to return, with the team set to reevaluate after the season.
Seventy-year-old Rick Bowness has come out of retirement to coach the Columbus Blue Jackets, accepting the job after a call from GM Don Waddell while he was on a Florida boat. He says he’s energized, has addressed health issues, and will focus on tighter defense and stronger accountability to lift the team this season, with plans to assess the long-term after the current campaign.
The Columbus Blue Jackets fired head coach Dean Evason in his second season (19-19-7) and replaced him with veteran Rick Bowness, after a disappointing start that left them last in the Eastern Conference. Evason went 59-52-16 in 127 games with Columbus, and assistant Steve McCarthy was also dismissed. Bowness, known for stints with Winnipeg and Dallas, is expected to bring structure and steadiness as Columbus faces a crucial stretch; the team has not qualified for the playoffs since 2019-20 and hosts Calgary next.
The Winnipeg Jets have promoted Scott Arniel to head coach, replacing Rick Bowness who retired after the season. Arniel, who has strong ties to the franchise and city, served as the Jets' associate coach for the past two seasons and posted a 15-7-3 record as interim head coach during Bowness's absences. The Jets finished second in the Central Division but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Scott Arniel has been named the new head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, replacing the retired Rick Bowness. Arniel, who has a long history with the Jets both as a player and coach, expressed his excitement about the "full circle" moment. He previously served as an associate coach for the Jets and has head coaching experience with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Winnipeg's general manager, Kevin Cheveldayoff, highlighted Arniel's detailed plans and strong relationships with players as key factors in his hiring.
Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness is taking a leave of absence from the team after his wife suffered a seizure. Assistant coach Scott Arniel will serve as interim coach until Bowness is able to return. The Jets have asked for privacy for the Bowness family during this time.
Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness expressed his disappointment and disgust with his team's performance in Game 5 against the Golden Knights, which resulted in their elimination from the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. Bowness criticized his team's lack of pushback and inconsistency, which mirrored their regular season struggles. The Jets had a Western Conference-leading 59 points on Jan. 18, only to finish the season with an 18-22-5 record. With several core players approaching unrestricted free agency, it could be an intriguing summer for the franchise.
The Winnipeg Jets are struggling to score goals, and their coach Rick Bowness is facing criticism for his decisions on player usage. Bowness has been prioritizing faceoffs over ice time for some of the team's top scorers, including Nikolaj Ehlers, who has been playing well recently. Meanwhile, star forward Mark Scheifele has been struggling to score and has a different philosophy on offense than his coach. The Jets need to win standings points, not philosophical ones, as they fight for a playoff spot.