Morrissey bids emotional farewell to Winnipeg Jets coach Bowness

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Two years ago, the Winnipeg Jets were in flux.

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Longtime coach Paul Morris resigned, leaving behind a team that not only missed the playoffs, but lacked a clear direction, with key players entering what was supposed to be a major one.

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Defenseman Josh Morrissey credits Rick Bowness with being a big part of the turnaround.

“There was a lot of buzz around our team,” Morrissey said Winnipeg San on Monday from his home in Calgary. “He really wanted to preach that we are a family. He really believed that we need to treat each other that way and take care of each other at that level, which creates a better environment and also plays better on the ice.

“He allowed our group to be better, to be more of a team … and every cog in the wheel was equally important.”

Bowness led the Jets to the playoffs in both of the last two seasons.

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Morrissey was perhaps the player who flourished most under him.

So when Bowness called Morrissey Sunday night to tell him he was retiring, the Jets assistant captain immediately recalled the first phone call he received from his new head coach.

“Talking to him was emotional,” Morrissey said. “From my first conversation with him, he really preached to me what he believes in as a player, a leader and a person. When you have someone who believes in you and tries to get the most out of you and believes that you have a lot to grow from, that's really special … it made me believe in myself.”

For someone who's been in the NHL for 49 years, Morrissey says Bowness still has a surprising amount of passion.

“I've been a part of the NHL world for nine years and it's crazy to think that I have another 40 years to match what he's done,” he said. “It stays with me to think that it's been 48 and 49 years for him. He brought it all emotionally … every day.”

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