Winnipeg Jets Bowness to retire after 38 NHL seasons

Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness announced his retirement after 38 seasons in the NHL.

Moncton, NB. native led the Jets to a 98-57-9 record in his two seasons at the helm, leading the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup playoff appearances.

Under the 69-year-old's control in 2023-24, Winnipeg finished second in both the Central Division and the Western Conference, matching the franchise record with 52 wins before falling to Colorado in the first round of the postseason.

Bowness was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, which recognizes the top coach in the NHL.

He has coached eight different franchises and has been behind the bench in 17 playoff appearances, including as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks in 2011 and a trip to the Stanley Cup Final as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015. Head coach of the Dallas Stars in 2020.

Bowness is one of three head coaches to serve behind the bench in five different decades, along with Scotty Bowen and Pat Quinn. His 2,726 games as an NHL coach are the most in league history.

This Canadian Press report was first published on May 6, 2024.

Canadian Press