Jets rally around Bowness family

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This article was published 23/10/2023 (713 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rick Bowness routinely describes the Winnipeg Jets as one big family. The tight-knit hockey clan is now rallying around its head coach after his wife, Judy, suffered a seizure Sunday and was hospitalized.

Bowness has taken a leave of absence to be by her side.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy and Rick. Very serious and tough time for them right now,” associate coach Scott Arniel said following Monday’s practice at Canada Life Centre.

“We’re just waiting, day to day with this and see how she progresses and see how Rick’s doing. Everybody is certainly feeling it. It’s family here. It’s part of what we talk about all of the time. It really hits everyone hard.”

Arniel will take the reins on an interim basis.

“It’s difficult when a member of our family here goes through something like that,” said alternate captain Josh Morrissey. “Just praying for Judy and the family and do our best here at the rink to do what we need to do for Bones.”

Bowness was behind the bench in Edmonton on Saturday night as the Jets rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to beat the Oilers 3-2 in overtime. The club stayed overnight in the Alberta capital, then flew back to Winnipeg the next morning. Judy was rushed to hospital Sunday evening.

“It’s scary. All we can do is hope and pray for them (until) obviously they figure it out and get her healthy again,” said alternate captain Mark Scheifele.

“First and foremost, they’re amazing human beings and that always comes first. Obviously, that comes first, just make sure she’s OK and that Bones is OK.”

Bowness briefly stepped away from the team at the beginning of the 2022-23 season after he tested positive for COVID-19. He missed the first four games of that year, as the Jets went 2-2-0.

“Obviously we dealt with this a little bit last year so we know what to expect,” said Scheifele, whose squad plays Tuesday night against the visiting St. Louis Blues.

“It’s scary. All we can do is hope and pray for them (until) obviously they figure it out and get her healthy again.”–Mark Scheifele

“But obviously that comes (Tuesday). Today it’s think about them and pray for them and hopefully they get some answers, and know they’re in good hands.”

Bowness is in his 14th season as an NHL head coach, with previous stints in Winnipeg (Jets 1.0 era), Boston, Ottawa, New York (Islanders), Phoenix and Dallas. He had a 46-33-3 record with the Jets last year, good for eighth place in the Western Conference and a wild-card playoff spot, which was followed by a first-round playoff loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Winnipeg is 2-3-0 so far this season. Morrissey said events like this put everything into perspective for players.

“That’s the culture I believe we’ve built here. Certainly we’re all a part of that. When someone goes through something or is going through something, the rest of the group, everyone, feels it,” said Morrissey.

“We’re waiting to hear more and praying for them. The biggest thing we can do for Bones is take care of our job here at the rink and allow him to be where he needs to be.”

Arniel previously served as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets for parts of two seasons and has an extensive coaching resume as both an assistant and associate with the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and now the Jets for the past two years.

“We had a little bit of it with Rick last year, so we’ve been through it as a group. But at the same time, just feel for them. The big thing for our group is making sure we don’t let Rick down there,” Arniel said of the mindset.

“That we go out here (Tuesday) and play like we need to play for him and do everything we can to get the two points.”

“We’re waiting to hear more and praying for them. The biggest thing we can do for Bones is take care of our job here at the rink and allow him to be where he needs to be.”–Josh Morrissey

The Jets are expected to roll the same lineup against the Blues as they did against the Oilers, with Connor Hellebuyck in goal and Logan Stanley, Declan Chisholm and Dominic Toninato as the healthy scratches.

Gabe Vilardi (knee) and Ville Heinola (ankle) remain on the injured list.

Winnipeg will then hit the road for a pair of games against the Detroit Red Wings (Thursday) and Montreal Canadiens (Saturday) to finish out the week.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg