‘I would have done the same thing:’ Bowness OK with being Jets’ second choice
WINNIPEG — Rick Bowness would not thoughts being the second selection.
The brand new Winnipeg Jets head coach took half in his first press convention Monday, slightly greater than per week after first goal Barry Trotz declined the workforce’s supply as a result of the veteran wished to spend extra time together with his household.
“If I am in his chair, I am going after Trotzy, too. I’m. It is that easy,” Bowness stated with fun, referring to Jets common supervisor Kevin Cheveldayoff sitting beside him.
“Trotzy is the right man for this, I get that. Along with his resume, I might have finished the identical factor Chevy did. I received a pleasant textual content from Trotzy a pair days in the past, however it didn’t work out and that’s nice. So do I really feel dangerous about second selection? Completely not. I might have finished the identical factor. He would have been my first selection”
Cheveldayoff stated his pivot to Bowness was made shortly.
“In case you ever get an opportunity to sit down one-on-one, (Bowness is) simple to speak to, very participating and that’s what gamers are on the lookout for,” Cheveldayoff stated.
“They’re trying to be heard, however but they need to know that somebody is in cost. Over that evolution means of his profession, I feel that’s most likely been probably the most exceptional issues, his capability to evolve and join with immediately’s gamers.”
Cheveldayoff stated he talked to a few dozen candidates, together with many who received head teaching jobs elsewhere reminiscent of John Tortorella (Philadelphia) and Bruce Cassidy (Vegas).
Bowness stepped down as head coach of the Dallas Stars after the season, explaining he felt the membership wanted a “new voice.”
The 67-year-old native of Moncton, N.B., guided the Stars to an 89-62-25 document in 176 regular-season video games over nearly three seasons and an 18-16 mark within the playoffs. His document as an NHL head coach is 211-351-76 over components of 12 seasons.
Dallas misplaced in additional time in Recreation 7 to Calgary within the first spherical of this yr’s playoffs. It reached the 2020 Stanley Cup remaining within the playoff bubble in Edmonton and misplaced to Tampa Bay.
Bowness, who signed a two-year contract Sunday, is the Jets’ eighth head coach in franchise historical past and third because the membership’s relocation to Winnipeg from Atlanta in 2011.
The Jets missed the playoffs this yr for the seventh time because the relocation.
Many gamers expressed frustration in regards to the season, which included Paul Maurice unexpectedly resigning as head coach final December. The membership completed with interim bench boss Dave Lowry and went 39-32-11.
Bowness stated he is talked to some Jets gamers already, together with centre Mark Scheifele, however solely exchanged messages thus far with captain Blake Wheeler.
When Scheifele met with the media on the finish of the season, he stated he wished to know the route of the workforce and implied he may need to be traded as a result of he was so sad.
Bowness stated he and Scheifele mentioned that and the dialog went properly.
“Actually, after I hung up from him I used to be very inspired,” Bowness stated. “And I do know he is an excellent participant and he is an enormous a part of any success this workforce goes to have.
“And also you discuss buy-in, it simply sounded to me, simply with the tone of his voice and the phrases, that he is in. And he is all-in. And I stay up for working with him.”
The Jets had been additionally in search of somebody with a connection to Winnipeg. Bowness has that.
The previous right-wing ended his 173-game NHL enjoying profession with Winnipeg. He performed 45 video games for the Jets within the 1980-81 season and performed and coached with the group for 9 seasons till 1988-89. He was head coach for the workforce’s final 28 video games in 1988-89.
Bowness stated he turned down three teaching positions since leaving the Stars, however none had been for a head coach.
He was excited when Cheveldayoff known as him and stated he took the job as a result of it wasn’t a rebuild and he might “work with good individuals, work with a very good workforce in an excellent market like Winnipeg.”
“There was one thing lacking there,” Bowness stated of the Jets final season. “I am not entering into it as a result of I wasn’t right here. It simply received derailed slightly bit.
“However should you return and also you take a look at the roster, how aggressive they had been for some time, it’s there. We simply must work collectively, all of us, gamers included, to get it again.”
Bowness has already employed former Jets participant Scott Arniel, an assistant with the Washington Capitals this yr, as affiliate coach. Goaltending coach Wade Flaherty was the one assistant retained on the finish of the season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed July 4, 2022.
Judy Owen, The Canadian Press
