IS WINNIPEG ON TOP OF CANADIAN SPORTS RIGHT NOW?

By: Stephen Lylyk, RP Show Intern 

In his July introductory press conference, new Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness emphasized one aspect regarding how to improve upon a team that missed last postseason: Team Culture. 

“X’s and O’s don’t work if the culture isn’t on,” Bowness said. “We have to change some attitudes and culture around the team.” 

Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff opted against making notable roster changes this past offseason. As he stated in a recent interview, Cheveldayoff admitted the Bowness hiring was a “seismic change.”  

Winnipeg Sports Talk host Andrew Paterson described on the Rod Pedersen show Wednesday how Bowness is already making said change in the Jets locker room.

“I think he’s been able to establish a new level of accountability right out of the gate calling out his top line for long shifts in the first preseason game got alot of people’s attention,” Paterson reported.

Jets players have already been impressed by Bowness quickly into his short tenure.

As Defenceman Nate Schmidt exclaimed in a recent interview, “I think [Bowness] is a no-nonsense coach. He loves the game, loves the guys and I love that.”

The changes to the organization have been welcomed as Paterson mentions, the Bowness hire has brought the Jets a “breath of fresh air.” 

While the Jets look to improve their culture to achieve long term success, they can take influence from a team not far away reaping the rewards of recent accomplishments.  

The foundation for this current era of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers dates back to 2013 with the hiring of Head Coach Mike O’shea. It was in his introductory interview where he explained what drew him to the job.  

“Taking this job is made very easy by the foundation the Bombers are starting with now, with Wade [Miller] (Blue Bombers Chief executive officer), and Kyle [Walters] (Blue Bombers general manager),” Paterson continued. “They are creating a new culture of winning. And I’m just thrilled to be apart of that.”

CFL Hall of Famer Chris Walby gave O’shea his support when he got the job in 2013 stating that, “[Mike’s] going to come in and say ‘you know what? This is my club now and we’re going to do things my way.” 

The Bombers over time time started to achieve unprecedented success. The fanbase inevitably took notice as the former perennial bridesmaids won Back to Back CFL Championships.  

“I can tell you the atmosphere around Winnipeg and in the stadium is the best I have ever seen it,” stated Paterson. “There’s an incredible connection between the teams and fans, as special as anything I can remember.”

As Rick Bowness aims to improve the Winnipeg Jets this season he can be comforted in knowing that a team in his own city successfully built a winning culture and has reaped the rewards ever since. 

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV and WQEE Radio. Call your cable provider to subscribe. You can also watch on YouTube Live or listen 24/7 at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive)