Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness is stepping away from the ice to take care of his wife. Bowness has been granted a leave of absence from the team after his wife Judy suffered a seizure, per ESPN.

Assistant Scott Arniel will step in as interim coach until Bowness is able to return to his duties and coach the Jets. A team statement didn't specify how long Bowness will be away from the ice. The franchise is asking for privacy for the coach and his family at this time.

Rick Bowness' Jets tenure

Winnipeg is facing high expectations after making the playoffs last year under Bowness. Bowness is in his second year coaching the Jets after being hired in July 2022 to replace Dave Lowry. The Jets went 46-33-3 under Bowness in his first season, losing to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the NHL playoffs. The Golden Knights went on to win the Stanley Cup.

Winnipeg will have to find a way to win without their head coach, which is never easy. Center Mark Scheifele will be needed to step up even more for the club. Scheifele has six points for the team and leads the team with four goals. Defenseman Josh Morrissey also has six points for the Jets, including a team-high five assists.

The good news for Winnipeg is that Scott Arniel does have experience. He was previously the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets and worked as an associate head coach for the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals.

The Jets are 2-3-0 on the young season. Winnipeg hosts the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.