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Scott Arniel

Scott William Arniel is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach from Kingston, Ontario.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Scott William Arniel is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach from Kingston, Ontario. He played as a left wing in the NHL for the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins, and later became a coach, including head coach of the Winnipeg Jets beginning in 2024.

Early life and junior career

Arniel was born in Kingston, Ontario, and played junior hockey with the Cornwall Royals. He won Memorial Cups with Cornwall in 1980 and 1981.

Professional playing career

Arniel played in the NHL and other professional leagues over an 18-year career. In the NHL, he was primarily known as a left wing with the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Arniel moved into coaching, working as an assistant and head coach in the AHL and NHL. He became head coach of the Winnipeg Jets in 2024 after serving as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals.

Winnipeg Jets head coach

Arniel returned to the Jets organization as head coach in 2024. The Jets' 2024–25 regular season set a franchise best at that time, and he was nominated for the Jack Adams Award.

Key facts

  • Arniel was drafted 22nd overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft.
  • He played 730 NHL games and recorded 149 goals and 338 points.
  • His NHL playing teams were the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins.
  • He later worked as a coach at several levels, including with the Manitoba Moose, Chicago Wolves, Utica Comets, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and Washington Capitals.
  • Arniel was named head coach of the Winnipeg Jets on May 24, 2024.
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Canadian context

Arniel is from Kingston, Ontario, and is part of Canadian junior, professional, and NHL coaching history. He also spent significant parts of his career with Canadian teams and organizations, including the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Scott Arniel?
Scott Arniel is a Canadian former NHL player and coach from Kingston, Ontario, who became head coach of the Winnipeg Jets in 2024.
What position did Scott Arniel play?
He played left wing.
Which NHL teams did Scott Arniel play for?
He played for the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins.
When was Scott Arniel born?
He was born on September 17, 1962.
How many NHL points did Scott Arniel score as a player?
He scored 338 points in the NHL.
What is Scott Arniel known for as a coach?
He is known for coaching in the NHL and AHL and for leading the Winnipeg Jets starting in 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Arniel
    Supports: Appointment as Winnipeg Jets head coach in 2024 and postseason recognition.
  2. Hockey-Reference — https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/a/arniesc01.html
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, playing position, career totals, and playing history.
  3. Hockey-Reference — https://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/arniesc01c.html
    Supports: Coaching record and NHL head-coaching history.
  4. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/jets/team/hockey-operations/scott-arniel
    Supports: Winnipeg Jets head coach appointment, previous coaching role, and draft information.
  5. Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame — https://kdshf.ca/inductees/scott-arniel/
    Supports: Early life, junior career, Memorial Cups, and Canadian hockey background.