Jets coach Bowness brings fresh approach to team this season

WINNIPEG — A big smile crossed Nate Schmidt's face as he described the fresh approach and one fun surprise during a practice at Winnipeg Jets training camp.

New Jets head coach Rick Bowness had players scrimmaging with opposite-handed sticks, plus goalies Connor Hellebuyck and David Rittich manned the creases without sticks.

"It was amazing. I loved it," said Schmidt, who's entering his 10th NHL season. "Variety is the spice of life and you add new things in your life, I think it just makes everyone a little more well-rounded.

"I think when you have new staff come in, it does bring that change of perspective of what you're looking at in the game. Every time you come to the rink and practise knowing there's new drills, new this, new that, it kind of keeps you on your toes. I like that."

The Jets need a little levity considering how last season panned out.

Bowness was hired in July after Winnipeg (39-32-11) missed the playoffs, finishing eight points behind Nashville for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

The season took a downturn after Paul Maurice resigned as head coach in mid-December and Dave Lowry took over on an interim basis. The campaign ended with players expressing frustration and pointing to problems with accountability.

Bowness is the eighth coach Schmidt, 31, will play under. So far, the veteran defenceman is impressed.

"I think Bones is kind of a no-nonsense coach," Schmidt said, calling Bowness by his nickname. "He loves the game, loves the guys and I love it.

"I love his type of style because I know that as a player that's what we want. You like knowing that when you come into the rink you know where you stand."

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff didn't make any blockbuster moves in the