Jets Hiring Rick Bowness as Team’s Next Head Coach

As per TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Winnipeg Jets are hiring former Dallas Stars’ head coach Rick Bowness as the next head coach of the team. Dreger writes: “The Winnipeg Jets and veteran coach Rick Bowness are working on finalizing his agreement to be the next coach of the Jets. This will end a thorough interview process for the @NHLJets that began with Barry Trotz as the target. Experience a key factor here.”

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The Winnipeg Jets and veteran coach Rick Bowness are working on finalizing his agreement to be the next coach of the Jets. This will end a thorough interview process for the @NHLJets that began with Barry Trotz as the target. Experience a key factor here.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2022

Bowness, 67, was with the Jets back in 1988-89. He has a history of working well with teams and taking a low-seeded, underwhelming squad far in the playoffs. He took a Stars team to the Cup Final two years ago and should be a good fit for an underperforming Jets team that has some talented players, and one that needs to take the next step as a team. This past season, the Stars posted a 46-30-6 record, good for a points percentage of .598. He stepped down as coach right after.

Bowness has coached 639 NHL games and spent time with the Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Arizona Coyotes, and Stars. He compiled a 212-351-28 record with 48 ties. Some wondered if the veteran Bowness would retire when he finished in Dallas. He made it clear that he was not retiring but would only come back for the right fit.

The Jets were rumored to be in on Barry Trotz until Trotz decided not to return to coaching. Interestingly, Jim Montgomery, who Bowness replaced as the coach in Dallas, was hired by the Boston Bruins on Friday.

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