Dallas Stars head coach Rick Bowness steps down, assistant coaches out

Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

Changes are ahead for the Dallas Stars.

After taking the Stars to a tense Game 7 against the Calgary Flames in the first round of the playoffs, head coach Rick Bowness is stepping away from his role.

“After careful consideration with my wife Judy, we feel it’s best to step away and allow the organization the opportunity to pursue a different direction at the head coaching position,” Bowman said in a statement. “I’d like to thank all the passionate fans and the dedicated staff for their support and hard work in my time here. It has been an honor for me, and my family, to represent the Stars and the city of Dallas.”

Bowness’ assistant coaches, Derek Laxdal, Todd Nelson and John Stevens, will not be returning to the club. The news was first reported by NHL insider Kevin Weekes.

Bowness’ time in Dallas lasted just three seasons and in 2019-20, his first year with the club, he took the Stars to the Stanley Cup final, where they fell in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Dallas failed to qualify for the postseason in 2020-21 when the NHL re-jigged the divisions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stars were just four points shy of the Nashville Predators for a playof spot.

This past year, they finished with 98 points, good enough to eek into the playoffs as a wildcard team, and had one heckuva first-round series with the Calgary Flames, taking them to seven games.

Bowness, who has coached in various NHL roles since 1984-85, finishes his time in Dallas with a record of 89-62-25.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.