(Frisco) The Dallas Stars have announced that Rick Bowness will not be returning as head coach as his contract expires. The contracts of his assistants John Stevens, Derek Laxdal and Todd Nelson will not be renewed.
Posted at 4:55 p.m.
Bowness had been the Stars head coach since October 2020, having served as the team’s assistant coach since the 2018-19 season and interim head coach since December 10, 2019. While serving as interim head coach, he guided the Stars to the Stanley Cup Finals in September 2020, when they lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“After lengthy discussions with my wife Judy, we believe it is more favorable to step down and give the organization a chance to move in another direction as head coach,” Bowness said in a statement.
In 176 regular games under Bowness, the Stars compiled an 89-62-25 record. They finished fourth in the Central Division this season, then were eliminated in seven games by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the playoffs.
“Rick is one of the most respected and adored individuals to have coached in the NHL,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. His commitment and dedication to the game of hockey, and the impact he has had on countless players, coaches and support staff during his five decades in the League is unparalleled. »
Bowness, 67, concluded his time with the Stars with 2,562 games behind the bench of an NHL team as head coach or assistant, a league high. He is one of only three coaches in NHL history to have served as head coach in five different decades, along with Hall of Famers Scotty Bowman and Pat Quinn.