Jets promote Arniel to head coach

The Winnipeg Jets hired Scott Arniel as their new head coach, the team announced Friday.

The 61-year-old has been the Jets' associate coach for the past two seasons under Rick Bowness, who retired earlier in May.

Arniel served as the Jets' interim coach on two separate occasions during the 2023-24 season while Bowness was on personal leave, guiding the team to a 10-5-2 record.

His only other NHL head coaching gig came from 2010-12 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He led Columbus to a 45-60-18 record during parts of two seasons.

Arniel has also held NHL assistant coaching jobs with the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, and Buffalo Sabres. He was previously the head coach of the AHL's Chicago Wolves and Manitoba Moose.

A left-winger during his 11-year NHL playing career, Arniel was drafted by the original Jets in the second round in 1981 and played six seasons with the club, reaching the 20-goal mark twice.