Rick Bowness will not return as head coach of the Dallas Stars after nearly three seasons in which he led them to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final and the playoffs again this year.

While Bowness was not under contract past this season, the 67-year-old coach said in a statement released by the team Friday that he was stepping away to "allow the organization the opportunity to pursue a different direction at the head coaching position." The move doesn't necessarily mean Bowness is done coaching.

General manager Jim Nill said assistant coaches John Stevens, Derek Laxdal and Todd Nelson also would not return.