Rick Bowness, Coach of the Winnipeg Jets, Ends His Historic Career in the NHL with Retirement

Monday, May 6th, 2024

Having led the Winnipeg Jets, Rick Bowness has concluded his career as an NHL coach after 38 seasons.

At the age of 69, Bowness led the Jets to achieve 52 victories and accumulate 110 points, although their journey ended after a defeat by the Avalanche in the Western Conference quarterfinals. His efforts made him a contender for the Jack Adams Award, recognizing the most valuable contributions by a coach to his team's success.

Bowness, who was drafted into both the NHL and WHA, played as a forward across various teams, managing to net 18 goals in 173 NHL matches.

Starting as an assistant with the original Jets, Bowness embarked on a historic journey in the NHL, ultimately serving 2,726 games as a coach. He assumed his first role as a head coach during the 1988-89 season with the Jets.

His coaching journey included a stint with the Bruins, and he was the first head coach for the Senators following their expansion in 1992. Bowness went on to coach teams including the Islanders, Coyotes, Canucks, Lightning, Stars, and finally, the Jets.

While leading the Stars, Bowness managed to bring the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020. The Jets, under his direction, secured the fourth position in the Central Division for the 2022-23 season.

During the season, Bowness occasionally stepped away to support his wife, Judy, through her health challenges, including a seizure and a surgical procedure.

Upon retiring, Bowness's record stands at 310-408-48-37, with his teams making five appearances in the playoffs.

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