WINNIPEG – Usually a practice after a big road win has a noticeable amount of energy to it, but besides a few light-hearted moments during some small-area games, the Winnipeg Jets were very business-like on Monday.
There was reason for that, though, as they learned shortly before Monday’s 45-minute session at Canada Life Centre that head coach Rick Bowness will be taking a leave of absence. His wife, Judy, had a seizure on Sunday evening and, per the team’s statement, is in hospital undergoing further testing.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy and Rick. Very serious and tough time for them right now,” said Scott Arniel, who will serve as the interim head coach until Bowness returns. “Everybody is certainly feeling it. It’s family here. It’s part of what we talk about all of the time. It really hits everyone hard.”
The best way the Jets could show their support for their head coach, and his family, was to put in a solid day of work and prepare for Tuesday’s match-up with the St. Louis Blues.
“The biggest thing we can do for Bones is take care of our job here at the rink and allow him to be where he needs to be,” said Josh Morrissey. “That’s the culture I believe we’ve built here. Certainly we’re all a part of that. When someone goes through something or is going through something, the rest of the group, everyone, feels it.”
Bowness missed small parts of the 2022-23 campaign due to COVID-19, so there are experiences to rely on as the group plans to put its best foot forward. But the mindset of preparing for a game will come tomorrow. For now, it’s all about supporting a member of the Jets family.
“First and foremost they’re amazing human beings and that always comes first,” said Mark Scheifele. “Today it’s think about them and pray for them and hopefully they get some answers, and know they’re in good hands.”
MAINTENANCE DAY
Captain Adam Lowry didn’t take part in Monday’s skate for maintenance reasons.
He was spotted in the Jets dressing room though, touring around some special guests – including two children who had the chance to interact with Nate Schmidt and Brenden Dillon.
Tuesday’s game against the Blues has been circled on the calendar for Lowry, as it’s the second Winnipeg Jets Child Advocacy Game. Lowry serves as the ambassador for Toba Centre, whose mission is to restore the health and wellbeing of those affected by child abuse through a coordinated, community response.
More information can be found here.
LINE RUSHES
With Lowry not on the ice, Dominic Toninato skate in his place on Winnipeg’s third line. The full line rushes looked like this:
Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
Niederreiter-Toninato-Appleton
Barron-Kupari-Gustafsson
Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt
Stanley-Chisholm
Iafallo, who has three goals and an assist in five games this season, was moved to Scheifele and Kyle Connor's line in the first period against Edmonton.
“He’s a guy that’s played all over, Swiss Army knife, for us, playing different situations," said Arniel. "He’s played with top lines before. Just felt the other night, with McDavid and Draisaitl coming over the boards every time, and no shot against (Mason Appleton), it was just more that when we had the puck there, Alex has a pretty good idea of what he needs to do with it. Knows what Scheifele and KC are doing. Has experience up there. We will just keep it as is right now.”
