Rick Bowness - Coaching Career - Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators

Bowness became the first head coach in Ottawa Senators history for the 1992-93 season. On October 8, 1992, the expansion Senators won their first ever game over the Montreal Canadiens 5–3 at the Ottawa Civic Centre. Wins would be few and far between, as Ottawa finished with a 10–70–4 record, earning 24 points and a tie for last place in the overall NHL standings with the San Jose Sharks.

Bowness returned to the Senators for the 1993-94, as Ottawa improved by 13 points, going 14–61–9, earning 37 points, however, Ottawa once again finished in last place in the NHL.

The Senators continued to go their some growing pains in the 1994-95 season, as Ottawa finished with a 9–34–5 record in the lockout shortened 48 game schedule, finishing in last place in the league for the third straight season.

Bowness began a fourth season with the Senators in 1995-96, and after a promising start, as Ottawa had a 6–5–0 record after 11 games, the club fell into an eight game losing streak to fall to 6–13–0, and Bowness was relieved of his duties, as he was replaced by Dave Allison.

During the summer of 1996, Bowness joined the New York Islanders as an associate coach.