Rick Bowness, Coach of Winnipeg Jets, to Skip Game Against New York Rangers for Medical Procedure

Tuesday, March 19th, 2024

Rick Bowness, the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, is set to miss the upcoming away game against the New York Rangers due to a minor medical procedure he needs to undergo. Bowness, at the age of 69, has traveled back to Winnipeg to undergo this medical procedure and plans to reunite with his team as his recovery allows. During his absence, Scott Arniel, the associate coach, will take on the leadership role for the team. Arniel shared that medical professionals have pinpointed the problem, and depending on Bowness' recovery, he might join the team towards the end of the trip. He emphasized that while the situation is serious, it isn't expected to be a long-term concern, expressing relief over the diagnosis and upcoming treatment. Earlier, Bowness had to step away from coaching duties for 13 games following a health scare involving his wife in October. Mark Scheifele, a forward for the Jets, reflected on the situation, stating that while they are focused on their games, Bowness' health remains a top concern. He mentioned the importance of reducing stress for Bowness and highlighted the team's adaptability to similar circumstances earlier in the year, with Arniel proving to be an effective stand-in. Scheifele emphasized the collective effort required from the team in Bowness' absence. During Bowness' previous time away, the Jets put together a strong performance, posting a 9-2-2 record. Currently, Winnipeg is sharing the top position in the Central Division with the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, boasting 91 points from a 43-19-5 record. Over his coaching career spanning 14 seasons across seven teams, Bowness has achieved a record of 301 wins, 403 losses, 36 overtime losses, and 48 ties.

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