Rick Bowness Embraces ‘Bowness Time’ as Blue Jackets Push for Playoff Spot

At 71 years old and with two retirements behind him, Rick Bowness finds himself invigorated by the challenge of coaching the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his latest interim role, he is navigating a tight playoff race with a sense of urgency, yet with a newfound relaxation that he attributes to his extensive experience in the league. Before a recent 5-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Bowness expressed a different perspective on the pressures of coaching. “I’m probably more relaxed now,” he said, a stark contrast to the worries he faced earlier in his career.

Bowness reflected on the intensity of his younger coaching days, acknowledging that at 41, he was consumed by thoughts of his next job and career longevity. “Well, I’m not, right? And I had the same thing in Dallas,” he noted, emphasizing his current mindset of enjoying the moment. “Man, I’m good. So we’re just going to enjoy every day we can.” This attitude has become a hallmark of what some are calling “Bowness Time.”

Since taking over the Blue Jackets in January, Bowness has led the team to a respectable 20-9-5 record, transforming them from a last-place team to just two points shy of third in the Metropolitan Division, with three games left in the season. Despite a recent slide of 2-7-1, Bowness maintains an optimistic focus on the positives. Following the loss to Buffalo, where the Blue Jackets outshot the Sabres 37-24, he highlighted a strong second period. “That second period was one of the best periods we played all year. And we came out of it with nothing to show for it,” he remarked, looking ahead to the next game against Montreal. “If we play like that again on Saturday, we’ll be fine.”

The players have rallied around Bowness, crediting his experience and clear communication for their improved performance. Forward Charlie Coyle expressed the team’s collective sentiment, stating, “He gives us confidence the way he backs us. And you want to play for a guy like that. And we want to do well for him, honestly. It’s what we needed and it’s what he brought.”

Bowness’s coaching journey has taken him across North America, from the AHL to multiple NHL teams, including a notable run with the Dallas Stars that culminated in a trip to the Stanley Cup Final during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. Despite his modest career numbers, which include a regular-season record of 330-417-42, Bowness has left a lasting impact on the teams he has coached.

After stepping down from his position in Winnipeg following two seasons, Bowness found it difficult to resist the call of coaching when Columbus reached out. “I just love it. That’s why I came back,” he said in January, citing the player interaction as a key factor in his return. As the Blue Jackets remain in contention for a playoff spot, Bowness’s enthusiasm for the game shines through. “I love being in these races. What better time of year to be playing?” he said, emphasizing the significance of competing in meaningful games as the season draws to a close. “Every day in this league is a blessing.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.