A Major Canadian NHL Team Coach Discussed Hockey Culture
In the midst of a busy training camp, Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness found the time to sit down for a lengthy interview with John Shannon and Bob McCown on the Bob McCown Podcast.
Right away, he talked about the culture issues surrounding the team and how they grew past them this past season.
You've got to remember when they brought me in last year, there were all kinds of culture issues here,» he said. «Let's not kid ourselves. We knew what we were getting into. The team had missed the playoffs. They team had underachieved. So we had to come in here and we had to raise the bar, both in terms of the culture and the way we played.
The Jets returned to the postseason last year, finishing with 95 points and the last playoff berth in the Western Conference. Nobody expected them to contend for the cup, and it was no surprise when they bowed out in the first round to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights.
Bowness Suffered from Long COVID
Luckily, the Jets coach has been feeling better and hasn't had an episode since June. But it was a very unpleasant period of his life when he had it.
It just kept coming back to bite me it hit hard,» he said. «But I haven't had an episode with it since June. And I hope I never see it again.
He also discussed Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele who both have rumours swirling about their status going into the season.
They're character guys and I'm not worried about it being a distraction with them,» the coach said. «Hopefully things can get resolved with them and we can get them both signed, so they're here for a lot longer than just one year.
As read on National Post Bowness Talks Culture and Long COVID
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