Another old face is returning to Winnipeg as new Jets head coach Rick Bowness confirms that current Capitals assistant coach Scott Arniel will be joining the staff as an associate coach.
Arniel is well known in Manitoba as he was a 2nd round pick of the Jets 1.0 back in 1981 playing 331 games in a Winnipeg uniform (including being coached by Rick Bowness). He ended his pro career in Manitoba joining the Moose 1.0 where he played for his final three seasons as a player.
He would then join the Moose as an assistant coach for two seasons starting in 1999-00 before he made the jump to the NHL with the Sabres as an assistant coach. Arniel came back to Manitoba for four seasons as head coach (2006-2010) before joining the Blue Jackets as their head coach. The last nine years he’s been in the NHL with the Rangers (5) and Capitals (4) as either an associate or assistant coach.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff when he was speaking this morning referenced winning an IHL championship in Utah with Scott Arniel. He said he was happy that he was the first name mentioned by Rick Bowness when talking about his staff.
Bowness expects to add two more coaches to his staff in the next few days. During his media availability this morning Bowness said an ability to communicate and having a positive attitude are qualities he is looking for when filling out his coaching staff.
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