WINNIPEG, May 24, 2024 – The Winnipeg Jets have announced the appointment of Scott Arniel as the ninth head coach in franchise history and the fourth since the team’s relocation to Winnipeg.
Arniel, 61, has spent the last two seasons as the Jets’ associate coach, contributing to a 98-57-9 record and two Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. During the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, he served as interim head coach in the absence of Rick Bowness, achieving a 15-7-3 record over 25 games.
Originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round (22nd overall) of the 1981 NHL Draft, Arniel played his first five seasons with the team and returned for the 1990-91 season. Throughout his NHL career, he played 730 games with the Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins, amassing 338 points (149 goals, 189 assists) and 599 penalty minutes.
In 34 playoff games, he recorded six points (3 goals, 3 assists) and 39 penalty minutes. Arniel concluded his playing career in the AHL and IHL, including three seasons with the Manitoba Moose, where he notched 171 points (67 goals, 104 assists) and 233 penalty minutes in 222 games.
Arniel’s career highlights include winning two Memorial Cups (1980 and 1981) with the Cornwall Royals alongside Winnipeg legend Dale Hawerchuk. He also represented Canada at the World Junior Championships in 1981 and 1982, securing a gold medal in 1982. His professional accolades include winning the IHL’s Turner Cup with the Utah Grizzlies in 1995-96.
Arniel began his coaching career as a player/assistant coach with the Houston Aeros in 1995-96. Following his retirement in 1999, he was an assistant coach for Manitoba for two seasons, then spent three seasons as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres. He returned to the Moose as head coach from 2006-10, leading the team to the Calder Cup Final in 2009.
Arniel was the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010-12 before coaching the AHL’s Chicago Wolves in 2012-13. He later served as associate coach for the New York Rangers (2013-18) and assistant coach for the Washington Capitals (2019-22), including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final with the Rangers in 2014 and two Eastern Conference Final appearances (Sabres in 2006 and Rangers in 2015). The Rangers also won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2014-15.
