Post by Jari on Aug 8, 2005 18:13:26 GMT -5
GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Michael Barnett announced today that the Coyotes have signed Rick Tocchet, Barry Smith and former Winnipeg Jet Rick Bowness to multi-year contracts as associate coaches for head coach Wayne Gretzky’s staff.
Bowness enters his sixth season with the Coyotes organization and his 22nd season of coaching in professional hockey. Bowness has served as assistant coach for the Coyotes over the last five seasons and, he also served as head coach on an interim basis for the final two months of 2003-04. Having previously served as head coach with four NHL clubs, Bowness brings to the organization a wealth of experience and knowledge.
The 50-year-old Bowness joined the Coyotes after a three-year stint with the New York Islanders coaching staff. Prior to his coaching career, he played seven seasons (1975-82) in the NHL as a right wing with Atlanta, Detroit, St. Louis and Winnipeg. He played in 173 games, recording 18-37-55 and 191 penalty minutes. Bowness was originally drafted by the Atlanta Flames in the 2nd round (26th overall) of the 1975 Entry Draft.
Bowness began his career in coaching with the American Hockey League’s Sherbrooke Jets as a player/coach during the 1982-83 season. He served the next four seasons (1983-84 to 1986-87) as an assistant coach for the Winnipeg Jets before returning to his hometown in 1987 as the coach and general manager of the Moncton Hawks, the Jets’ AHL developmental team. In February 1989, Bowness had his first NHL head coaching stint when he took over as interim head coach of the Jets for the final 28 games (8-17-3) of the 1988-89 season.
The following season, Bowness joined the Boston Bruins organization, coaching the AHL’s Maine Mariners for two seasons before assuming the head coaching duties for the Bruins in 1991-92. Bowness coached the Bruins to a 36-32-12 record in 1991-92, his best season as a head coach. In his only year with Boston, he led the Bruins to the Prince of Wales (Eastern Conference) Finals, losing 4-0 to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bowness was then named the first head coach of the Ottawa Senators on June 15, 1992. In three and a half seasons (1992-93 to 1995-96) with the expansion franchise, Bowness finished with a record of 39-178-18. Despite the tough times, Bowness was highly regarded for his positive style and was credited for the development of many of the Senators’ young stars. Bowness remained behind the Senators’ bench until November 20, 1995, becoming only the second coach in NHL history to head an expansion team through its first three seasons.
The Moncton, New Brunswick native was then hired by the Islanders on December 30, 1995 and worked two seasons as an associate coach. Bowness took over the head coaching duties of the Islanders on January 23, 1997 and led the club to a 16-18-3 record. The following year, in his first full season as the Islanders’ head coach, he guided the team to a 22-32-9 record in 63 games before being replaced on March 11, 1998. Bowness was instrumental in the development of many of the Islanders young players.
Bowness enters his sixth season with the Coyotes organization and his 22nd season of coaching in professional hockey. Bowness has served as assistant coach for the Coyotes over the last five seasons and, he also served as head coach on an interim basis for the final two months of 2003-04. Having previously served as head coach with four NHL clubs, Bowness brings to the organization a wealth of experience and knowledge.
The 50-year-old Bowness joined the Coyotes after a three-year stint with the New York Islanders coaching staff. Prior to his coaching career, he played seven seasons (1975-82) in the NHL as a right wing with Atlanta, Detroit, St. Louis and Winnipeg. He played in 173 games, recording 18-37-55 and 191 penalty minutes. Bowness was originally drafted by the Atlanta Flames in the 2nd round (26th overall) of the 1975 Entry Draft.
Bowness began his career in coaching with the American Hockey League’s Sherbrooke Jets as a player/coach during the 1982-83 season. He served the next four seasons (1983-84 to 1986-87) as an assistant coach for the Winnipeg Jets before returning to his hometown in 1987 as the coach and general manager of the Moncton Hawks, the Jets’ AHL developmental team. In February 1989, Bowness had his first NHL head coaching stint when he took over as interim head coach of the Jets for the final 28 games (8-17-3) of the 1988-89 season.
The following season, Bowness joined the Boston Bruins organization, coaching the AHL’s Maine Mariners for two seasons before assuming the head coaching duties for the Bruins in 1991-92. Bowness coached the Bruins to a 36-32-12 record in 1991-92, his best season as a head coach. In his only year with Boston, he led the Bruins to the Prince of Wales (Eastern Conference) Finals, losing 4-0 to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bowness was then named the first head coach of the Ottawa Senators on June 15, 1992. In three and a half seasons (1992-93 to 1995-96) with the expansion franchise, Bowness finished with a record of 39-178-18. Despite the tough times, Bowness was highly regarded for his positive style and was credited for the development of many of the Senators’ young stars. Bowness remained behind the Senators’ bench until November 20, 1995, becoming only the second coach in NHL history to head an expansion team through its first three seasons.
The Moncton, New Brunswick native was then hired by the Islanders on December 30, 1995 and worked two seasons as an associate coach. Bowness took over the head coaching duties of the Islanders on January 23, 1997 and led the club to a 16-18-3 record. The following year, in his first full season as the Islanders’ head coach, he guided the team to a 22-32-9 record in 63 games before being replaced on March 11, 1998. Bowness was instrumental in the development of many of the Islanders young players.