Rick Bowness walked off the ice following the Winnipeg Jets’ final loss of the season, which eliminated them from the playoffs, unhappy with his performance and how his team played, and it dawned on him that it should be the final NHL game he coaches.
“Coaches have always told me ... they’ve always said you’ll know it’s time,” Bowness said. “It just hit me then: It’s time.”
Bowness announced his retirement Monday after 38 NHL seasons, a well-respected career that included leading the Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 and more time spent behind the bench than anyone else in league history.
“When I leave, I just want to be remembered,” Bowness told reporters at a news conference in Winnipeg, choking back tears. “I just love the game, and I respected the game. I love this league. I respect the league.”
Health issues of his own and his wife, Judy, played a role in his decision, which went beyond disappointment over losing to Colorado in five games. After all, Bowness did a good enough job the rest of the time to be a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year for the first time for leading the Jets to a franchise-record 52 wins and a second consecutive postseason appearance in as many seasons on the job.
Wisconsin judge dismisses lawsuit challenging state's new wolf management plan
CJ McCollum scores 28 points as Pelicans hold off Warriors 114
Retiring Chairman Sean McManus leaves CBS Sports with its critical properties locked up long
Tom Watson wants the unity he saw at Masters Champions Dinner for all of golf, end to PGA
Biden recognizes US Military Academy with trophy for besting other service academies in football
QB Kellen Mond joining the New Orleans Saints to compete for a backup role
Wrexham eyes another promotion, this time to 3rd tier of English soccer
Don Donoher, the winningest basketball coach at Dayton, dies at 92
WNBA expansion franchise Golden State hires Ohemaa Nyanin as its general manager
King Charles III's coronation anniversary is marked by ceremonial gun salutes across London
Supreme Court to hear arguments over mifepristone Tuesday