Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness today announced his retirement from coaching after 38 seasons in the NHL. The Moncton, NB. native led the Jets to a 98-57-9 record during his two seasons as the head coach en route to a pair of Stanley Cup Playoffs appearances.
In 2023-24, Winnipeg set club records for road wins (25), winning streak (eight games, twice: Dec. 30/23-Jan. 11/24 and Apr. 1-18/24), and point streak (14 games: 12-0-2 from Dec. 13/23-Jan.11/24). The Jets also set a franchise record by going 35 consecutive games allowing three goals or fewer (Nov. 4/23-Jan. 20/24). During that stretch, they also set a club record with a 14-game run without allowing more than two goals (Dec. 20/23-Jan. 20/24). Their 52 wins matched the franchise record set in 2017-18. Bowness was named a finalist for the 2023-24 Jack Adams Award which is awarded to “the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success”.
Bowness served as a coach for eight different franchises and was behind the bench for 17 playoff appearances, including trips to the finals as an associate coach with the Vancouver Canucks in 2011, as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015, and as Dallas Stars head coach in 2020. He is one of only three head coaches (along with Scotty Bowman and Pat Quinn) to serve behind the bench in five different decades. His 2,726 games as an NHL coach are the most by anyone in league history.
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30 Comments
Thanks for everything, hope retirement treats you well. Thanks for also opening up the position for someone else to take over
Congratulations on your Retirement Bones !! Thanks for Everything you did for the guys !! Especially this last season . 🎉🎉😊😊
It was a Bowness getting Rick for these past 2 years!
Enjoy your retirement!
As much as it's been a rough ride along the road with Bones I can't get over how much he has done for the team and I hope he enjoys his life outside of Jets and Hockey.
Just a great guy with tremendous dedication to the game. The changed culture in that team will be part of his legacy.
Thanks so much for the dedication, respect, and generosity Bones! I hope you and your family can enjoy the retired life and continue to find happiness.
Rick Bowness is a great guy and coach. He was proud to represent the Winnipeg Jets and did a great job returning the Jets to one of the best teams in the regular season.
Happy retirement!!
What an incredible contribution Rick Bowness has made to not only the Winnipeg Jets but to the game of hockey. Very sad to see him retire but thank you so much 🙏 ❤ for your time behind the Winnipeg Jets a class act.
Thank you Coach Bones
Thank you Rick for your dedication to the team. Winnipeg was honoured to call you our coach. I hope you enjoy retirement with your family!
Jets didn’t deserve him.
Congrats Bones!
Congratulations and thank you Coach! ❤
Time to chill now brother, you deserve it
A class act all the way. Enjoy your well deserved retirement, Rick.
Lost for words here Bones… Thank you!
Thank you coach Bowness for your dedication, passion and love for the game. WELL WISHES to you Rick Bowness, Judy and your family. 👏❤️. Thank you once again!!!
Wish we could have gotten you that ring coach!
I love Rick. He’s so passionate about our game
As a Stars fan, congrats on your retirement Bones! Such a great dude. 👏🏻
I hope he stays on in some capacity with the jets
Great news for Rick, but bad for the Jets
Thanks for all you done… on and off the ice❤. Best Jets season in years… Wish you and the better half better days ahead… ✌️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🎃
Have a great retirement, excited to see what the future brings
What a blessing to the Jets you have been. Worst defense to the best in 2 years. Amazing. Thanks for showing the boys how to be
Thanks Rick for your time and knowledge to our team, you sure made a difference the last 2 years with the club! Enjoy your retirement and life! Congrats
OMG!! Well Congratulations on your Retirement and a long career in the NHL !! All the Best Bones and for giving of yourself to our Winnipeg Jets for 2 seasons. Thank you and God Bless❤😊🎉
A fiery, passionate coach that was always a gentleman in all things. Thanks Bones, you took this team in the right direction, best wishes to you and Judy in your retirement
It must have been a hard decision to come back and finish the year. You could have just stayed home with your family but you showed up and gave it your best. Thank you Bones!!! Enjoy your retirement.