Jets name Scott Arniel head coach

The Winnipeg Jets named Scott Arniel as the franchise's next head coach Friday, replacing Rick Bowness.

Arniel, 61, was associate coach for two seasons under Bowness, who announced his retirement May 6.

A head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets (2010-12), Arniel served as the Jets' interim coach for 25 games from 2022-24 when Bowness was away from the team due to health or family issues. Arniel was 15-7-3 in those games.

Before the Columbus job, Arniel served as assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres from 2002-06 followed by a stint as head coach of the AHL's Manitoba Moose from 2006-10.

Arniel's Columbus teams went 45-60-18 before the Blue Jackets replaced him midway through the 2011-12 season. Arniel took assistant coaching posts with the New York Rangers from 2013-18 and the Washington Capitals from 2018-22.

Arniel also played six seasons (406 games) for Winnipeg, four seasons (295 games) with the Sabres and 29 games with the Boston Bruins.

He finished his playing career with 149 goals and 189 assists.

Arniel takes over a Jets team that finished 52-24-6, good for second place in the Central Division, before dropping their first-round playoff series in five games to the Colorado Avalanche.