Jets' coach Scott Arniel returns to Columbus a changed man – Hockey Writers – Winnipeg Jets

Working a job you love in the world of hockey is not a guarantee. Winnipeg Jets coach Scott Arniel knows this fact first hand. He thought he would never get another chance as a head coach in the National Hockey League.

Arniel's path back to being a head coach was full of uncertainty. But now he is at the helm of the best team in the NHL. At 9-1-0, the Jets sit atop the league while outscoring their opponents by 2.5 goals per game.

Arniel's story is one of learning a hard lesson, humbling and going back for another chance despite not guaranteeing that this chance will come.

Arniel's Blue Jackets Tenure

To say that things didn't go according to plan for Arniel and the Blue Jackets would be a huge understatement. In 123 games, he managed to lead the team to 45 wins while going through one of the darkest periods in franchise history.

Arniel's dismissal resulted not only from poor performance, but many social exchanges that turned negative. Once considered a rising star in training, he found himself overwhelmed by the jump to the NHL.

Some of Arniel's most memorable “moments” as the Blue Jackets' coach came in ways no one would want to be remembered for. There were battles with the media. There were fights with his players. The players did not like the way he ran.

After going 34-35-13 in his first season with the Blue Jackets in 2010-11, Arniel led the team to just 11 wins in the first half of the 2011-12 season. Then GM Scott Howson fired Arniel at that point.

The Blue Jackets were expected to take the next step as they traded for Jeff Carter and signed James Wisniewski. Except Carter broke his foot and was stopped by Wisniewski. They spent the season in the bottom spot because they didn't win a game until game 9.

Getting Another Chance

Often, coaches who go through Arniel's situation need to find a new job or plan to work in a smaller role. What praises him is that he did not give up hope. He knew it would take a lot of work and luck to get a second chance.

It took more than 12 years. But Arniel did the work necessary to get another chance. It took time in the AHL and various assistant roles to get there. It was his stand with the Rangers that put him back on the right path.

After he was fired from the Blue Jackets, Arniel was hired to coach in AHL Chicago. He then followed Alain Vigneault to the Rangers. This is where he met Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Derick Dorsett who played for the Blue Jackets.

You May Like It Again

Arniel spent five seasons in New York before he was fired from the upper cleaning house. The following season, he was hired as an assistant for the Washington Capitals. He replaced Lane Lambert. This was after the Capitals lifted the Stanley Cup.

Arniel then came to the Jets to work under Rick Bowness. Arniel was an associate coach with the Jets for two seasons and served as interim coach when Bowness had to leave the team multiple times. Finally in May, Arniel was hired as the head coach to replace Bowness.

Lessons Learned

Arniel's work is a lesson in thinking they know best, being humiliated while being watched and then grinding for years to get back to good plans. He returns to Columbus Friday night a changed man.

Arniel has a new perspective because of his experience. You are very good at building and maintaining relationships. He is also better at communicating with his players.

Sometimes, it takes hitting the ground running to realize you need to change. Arniel crashed after a short time in charge of the Blue Jackets. He now leads one of the most exciting teams in the NHL.

The lesson here? If you want something in life, it is not guaranteed. But it takes constant hard work, dedication and passion to stay with it. It also takes luck along the way.

Arniel did what he had to do. His experience with the Blue Jackets when they were bad at the moment gave him the perspective needed to be a good coach in today's NHL.

Arniel paid the price. Now he's showing why many thought of him as a rising star a decade ago.