Jets HC Rick Bowness takes leave of absence

The Winnipeg Jets received some awful news that the wife of head coach Rick Bowness’ Judy suffered a seizure and is in hospital. Winnipeg announced that Bowness would be taking a leave of absence to attend to the health of his wife and asked for privacy for him and his family.

For now, it appears as though associate coach Scott Arniel will take over coaching duties until such time that Bowness is able to return. Arniel is familiar with being a head coach as he was the bench boss for the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010-12 compiling a record of 45-60-18 over the course of two seasons. Since leaving Columbus Arniel has served primarily as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers (2013-2018) and the Washington Capitals (2018-2022).

Bowness is in his second season behind the Jets bench after spending three seasons with the Dallas Stars where he took the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2020 in what was a feel-good story during the 2020 playoffs that were played in the pandemic bubble.

PHR sends its best wishes to the Bowness family and the Jets community and wishes Judy a speedy recovery.