Winnipeg Jets new head coach Scott Arniel spoke with Jets reporter Sara Orlesky on Sunday about his excitement on being selected as Winnipeg's fourth head coach since the team returned to Manitoba.
Winnipeg Jets new head coach Scott Arniel spoke with Jets reporter Sara Orlesky on Sunday about his excitement on being selected as Winnipeg's fourth head coach since the team returned to Manitoba.
On Sunday, Scott Arniel sat down with Winnipeg Jets reporter Sara Orlesky and chatted about his excitement on being named the team's newest head coach.
"I've been so focused, it's really been since the day that we got beat out and lost to Colorado that I've been focused on what I'm doing right now, honestly, just trying to land this job," Arniel told Orlesky. "And I've been watching a lot of hockey. I watched all our series. There has to be an off button here soon, but no, I have already got a long list of things I want to get done and look into hockey-wise. Then we'll find family time and get to that sooner than later."
For a guy who makes his offseason home in Winnipeg, sticking around longer shouldn't be much of an issue.
"Yeah it's it's absolutely amazing," Arniel told Orlesky. "It goes such full circle for me, going back to 1981 when I came here as an 18-year-old kid. And just from being a player then like you said, getting into coaching with the Moose and and now to have a chance to come back here. The last couple of years have been outstanding being back being a Winnipeg Jet.
"But now to step into this role, it's something that I coveted," he added. "It's something that you kind of dream about and now it's finally reality and it's here and I'm so excited to take this."
Arniel has spent the last two seasons in Winnipeg with the Jets as an associate coach to Rick Bowness, who announced his retirement in early May. The now associate-turned head coach will now get the chance to lead the team in the city to which he was drafted to over 40 years ago.
"Our kids are excited," the 61-year-old said. "Everybody obviously pulling hard for me, but to be back here, for all of us it's just been a dream come true. The biggest thing for me is to come back and have success here, because it's just been always something that I've always wanted to do, whether it was a player or as a coach. There is nothing more I'd to love to see than us hoisting the trophy here in this city."
According to Arniel, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff did make it clear during the interview process that he was one of a number of applicants that the team was interviewing over the past month for the open position.
"We talked right away and there was nothing given," Arniel said of his discussion with Cheveldayoff. "He said we're going to go through a process. He was going to talk to some other candidates, which I had no problem with. Again, I knew I had to make sure that I went in and sold myself and and what I could do well to help the Jets to continue to have success."
Arniel said it was about a five-hour interview process, but through the experience it helped him rediscover some of the things he needed to talk about since last gracing an NHL bench 13 year ago.
"It was great for me. I had a week to prepare and it just really makes you kind of dig in and do your homework and make sure that you're ready for those interviews."
Arniel will next look to fill out his staff by hiring two assistants over the coming weeks.