Gabe Vilardi Update The Winnipeg Jets have finalized their coaching staff for the 2024-25 NHL season. On Monday, the team announced it had concluded its search for two assistant coaches that will serve under new head coach Scott Arniel for the coming year. After Rick Bowness parted ways with the organization, the team replaced him with associate coach Arniel rather immediately. Special teams coach Brad Lauer was let go, while assistant coach Marty Johnson, goaltending coach Wade Flaherty and video coach Matt Prefontaine. Nearly 20 interviews later, and Arniel and Co. got their men. Now, the Jets have hired Davis Payne and Dean Chynoweth as the team's newest assistant coaches. “After a thorough interview process, I feel we’ve found two great individuals to help push our team forward,” Arniel said of the hires. Chynoweth comes from a wealth of Canadian Junior hockey experience and family ties, while Payne has spent the past 15 years behind the bench in various capacities within the NHL. Chynoweth has operated special teams most recently in both Toronto and Carolina, while Payne comes to Winnipeg having spent the past five years with the Ottawa Senators. "Both Dean and Davis bring with them a great deal of enthusiasm as well as a tremendous amount of team success and experience on the development side of coaching, having worked with veterans and young players alike," Arniel added. "Both have excelled in the area of specialty teams with top-10 power plays and penalty killing units. I am excited by what both can offer our staff and our players.”
