Last Updated on November 10, 2026 by Carmen Marins
Scott Arniel is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former NHL player who serves as the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets. Born on September 17, 1962, in Kingston, Ontario, Arniel comes from a family with a remarkable history in Canadian sports, particularly baseball and hockey.
His parents were Douglas “Doug” Arniel and Barbara Arniel. He grew up with three siblings: an older brother named Steve Arniel and two sisters, Sandi Arniel and Sue Arniel.
In his personal life, Scott is married to Lia Arniel, a Winnipeg-based physiotherapist and business owner. The couple has two children, Brendan Arniel and Stephanie Arniel, and are also grandparents.
Arniel has repeatedly described Winnipeg as an important part of his family’s history. It is where he began his NHL playing career, met his wife, raised his children, and eventually became the Jets’ head coach.
Here is everything publicly known about Scott Arniel’s family, including his wife, children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, and upbringing in Ontario.
Scott Arniel’s Wife: Meet Lia Arniel
Scott Arniel is married to Lia Arniel, a Canadian physiotherapist and businesswoman based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Lia, whose professional name is also listed as Lia-Marie Arniel, has established a career in physical therapy and rehabilitation.
The couple met in Winnipeg during the early years of Scott’s professional hockey career.
At the time, Arniel was playing for the original Winnipeg Jets, who had selected him in the second round of the 1981 NHL Draft.
Although Scott was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, his relationship with Lia helped him develop strong personal connections to Manitoba.
They eventually established their family home in Winnipeg and raised their two children in the city.
Who Is Lia Arniel?
Lia Arniel is a registered physiotherapist and clinic director with many years of experience in physical rehabilitation.
According to the official website of Whyte Ridge Physical Therapy, she established the Winnipeg clinic in 1999.
The business provides treatment and rehabilitation services for patients experiencing musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, and mobility problems.
Her professional qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.
The Manitoba Physiotherapy Association also identifies Lia-Marie Arniel as a physiotherapist associated with Whyte Ridge Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Clinic.
In addition to her clinical work, Lia has participated in discussions about physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
In March 2010, the Winnipeg Free Press interviewed her about the importance of encouraging children to participate in physical exercise.
At the time, she was involved with Xcel Sport and Fitness, a Winnipeg facility offering physical activity programs for children and adults.
Her professional interests in physical health and rehabilitation complement Scott’s lifelong involvement in competitive sports.
When Did Scott Arniel Get Married?
Scott Arniel and Lia have been married for many years, although their exact wedding date has not been established in reliable public reporting.
The couple met after Scott began playing professional hockey in Winnipeg during the 1980s.
They were already married and raising their children long before he began his professional coaching career.
Official American Hockey League biographies have consistently identified Lia as Scott’s wife.
However, publicly available records do not reliably establish their wedding ceremony’s date or location.
How Lia Arniel Supports Her Husband’s Coaching Career
Lia has supported Scott throughout a professional hockey career that has involved numerous cities and organizations.
As a player, he represented teams in Winnipeg, Buffalo, Boston, and several minor hockey markets.
After retiring from playing in 1999, he transitioned into coaching, beginning another demanding phase of his career.
His coaching responsibilities sometimes required him to live away from his wife and children.
In July 2006, the American Hockey League published a report explaining that Lia and the children had remained in Winnipeg during part of Scott’s coaching tenure with the Buffalo Sabres.
When he was appointed head coach of the Manitoba Moose, the decision allowed him to reunite with his family in their preferred hometown.
The appointment was especially meaningful because Winnipeg was where he had met Lia and established his family life.
In May 2024, after becoming head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, Arniel again emphasized how much the city meant to him and his family.
Scott Arniel’s Children: Meet Brendan and Stephanie Arniel
Scott Arniel and Lia have two children: a son named Brendan Arniel and a daughter named Stephanie Arniel.
Their names are confirmed by official American Hockey League publications, historical NHL coaching biographies, and Hockey Canada’s coaching records.
Both children grew up primarily in Winnipeg, where their parents established their family home.
Brendan Arniel: Scott Arniel’s Son
Brendan Arniel is the son of Scott and Lia Arniel.
He was raised in Winnipeg while his father played and coached professional hockey.
Brendan appeared in public hockey reporting in July 2006 when Scott was appointed head coach of the Manitoba Moose.
At the time, Brendan expressed excitement about his father’s return to Winnipeg.
During the preceding years, Scott had worked as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres, spending considerable time away from his family.
His return to Manitoba allowed the family to spend more time together.
According to the American Hockey League’s report, Brendan and Stephanie were especially pleased about their father’s appointment.
The experience demonstrated how coaching decisions could affect the entire Arniel family.
Brendan has generally maintained a private personal life as an adult.
Reliable public sources do not extensively document his current occupation, marital status, or other personal circumstances.
Some hockey databases spell his first name Brenden, but official AHL and Hockey Canada publications use Brendan.
Stephanie Arniel: Scott Arniel’s Daughter
Stephanie Arniel is Scott and Lia Arniel’s daughter.
Like her brother, she grew up in Winnipeg and experienced the demands of having a father involved in professional hockey.
Her name appears in several official biographies covering Scott’s playing and coaching careers.
Stephanie was also mentioned in the July 2006 American Hockey League article discussing her father’s return to the Manitoba Moose.
For the family, Scott’s appointment represented an opportunity to maintain a more stable home life in Winnipeg.
Although Stephanie has been publicly identified as his daughter, she has largely remained outside media coverage.
Details about her profession, education, and private personal life have not been extensively documented in reliable hockey publications.
Scott Arniel’s Grandchildren
Scott Arniel and his wife, Lia, are also grandparents.
The Winnipeg Free Press reported in December 2022 that the couple had welcomed a grandchild earlier that year.
In March 2024, former Jets head coach Rick Bowness publicly congratulated Arniel on the arrival of another grandchild, a grandson.
The news was shared following a Winnipeg Jets game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Arniel has subsequently spoken about the happiness of spending time with his grandchildren.
Scott Arniel Discusses Becoming a Grandfather
On December 1, 2024, the Winnipeg Jets released an episode of their HOME ICE interview series featuring Scott Arniel.
During the conversation with Sara Orlesky, he discussed his professional hockey journey and the experience of becoming a grandfather.
He described how his personal priorities had evolved throughout his career.
After spending decades as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, Arniel appreciated the opportunity to create memories with younger generations of his family.
He also spoke about the special meaning of returning to Winnipeg, where his children had grown up.
Grandchildren and the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic
In December 2025, Arniel discussed the upcoming 2026 NHL Heritage Classic between Winnipeg and Montreal.
He explained that outdoor hockey games often create memorable experiences for players’ and coaches’ families.
He hoped his grandchildren would have an opportunity to participate in the celebrations surrounding the game.
The Winnipeg Jets hosted the Heritage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium on October 25, 2026.
For Arniel, the event connected his childhood memories of outdoor skating in Ontario with his present role as a grandfather and NHL head coach.
The exact number, names, and ages of all his grandchildren have not been comprehensively established in reliable public reporting.
Scott Arniel’s Parents: Meet Doug and Barbara Arniel
Scott Arniel was born to Douglas William Arniel and Barbara Arniel in Kingston, Ontario.
His parents raised four children in a family with strong connections to athletics.
Doug was an accomplished baseball player, while Barbara helped support the family’s involvement in sports and community activities.
Their identities and family relationships are documented in Doug’s obituary, published following his death in September 2021.
Scott Arniel’s Father: Douglas “Doug” Arniel
Scott Arniel’s father was Douglas William Arniel, commonly known as Doug or “Slugger.”
Doug was born in 1935 and became an accomplished baseball and softball player in Kingston.
He represented the Kingston Lakeview Indians and participated in competitive senior baseball.
According to a May 2025 article by Canadian Baseball Network journalist Bob Elliott, Doug played an important role in Kingston’s 1967 Ontario Baseball Association senior championship.
During the championship series against the Orillia Majors, he hit a crucial home run that contributed to Kingston’s victory.
His athletic achievements helped establish the Arniel family as a recognizable name in the Kingston sporting community.
How Doug Arniel Influenced Scott’s Hockey Career
Doug encouraged Scott and his siblings to participate in athletics from childhood.
In a September 2015 interview with The Hockey News, Scott recalled watching his older brother participate in youth hockey practices.
Doug helped with the team, and Scott was sometimes allowed onto the ice after practice.
These experiences provided his earliest introduction to organized hockey.
As Scott grew older, his father became actively involved in organizing competitive youth hockey opportunities.
According to the Original Hockey Hall of Fame, Doug and other parents, including Doug Gilmour’s father Don, helped establish a youth team that traveled to tournaments throughout Ontario and even Boston.
The experience allowed Scott to compete against talented young players and develop his skills.
His father continued supporting him as he progressed through junior hockey and reached the NHL.
What Happened to Scott Arniel’s Father?
Douglas William Arniel passed away on September 29, 2021, in Kingston, Ontario.
He was approximately 86 years old.
His obituary identified his wife, Barbara, and their four children: Steve, Sandi, Scott, and Sue.
Doug’s passing marked the loss of an important figure in the Arniel family’s sporting history.
His contributions to Kingston baseball have continued to receive recognition in local sports publications.
Scott Arniel’s Mother: Barbara Arniel
Scott Arniel’s mother is Barbara Arniel, whose maiden surname was Loye.
She is also referred to as Barb in reporting about the family’s history.
Barbara raised four children alongside her husband, Doug, in Kingston.
Her name appears in Doug’s obituary and in Canadian Baseball Network’s reporting about the family.
Although Barbara has remained outside the public hockey spotlight, she was part of the family environment that supported Scott’s athletic development.
Her professional background and other private personal details have not been extensively established in reliable sources.
Scott Arniel’s Siblings: Meet Steve, Sandi, and Sue Arniel
Scott Arniel has three siblings: Steve Arniel, Sandi Arniel, and Sue Arniel.
Their names are documented in the obituary of their father, Douglas Arniel.
The family has longstanding connections to Kingston, Ontario, where the siblings grew up.
Steve Arniel: Scott Arniel’s Older Brother
Steve Arniel is Scott’s older brother and a former competitive hockey player.
He is approximately three years older than Scott, according to a September 2015 interview with The Hockey News.
Scott recalled that watching Steve attend hockey practices was one of his earliest memories of the sport.
He often accompanied his father to the rink and occasionally joined the older players on the ice after practice.
Steve later played varsity hockey at Queen’s University in Kingston.
His involvement in hockey helped establish the sporting interests that influenced Scott’s childhood.
Steve is also the father of former professional hockey player Jamie Arniel.
Sandi Arniel: Scott Arniel’s Sister
Sandi Arniel is one of Scott’s two sisters.
She was raised in Kingston alongside Steve, Scott, and Sue.
Sandi is identified in the 2021 obituary of Douglas Arniel.
Although her family relationship is confirmed, reliable public reporting provides limited information about her education, occupation, and private life.
She has generally remained outside media coverage surrounding Scott’s professional hockey career.
Sue Arniel: Scott Arniel’s Sister
Sue Arniel, also identified as Sue Lanzo in family memorial records, is Scott’s other sister.
She grew up with the Arniel family in Kingston, Ontario.
Her name appears among Doug and Barbara Arniel’s four children in their family records.
Like Sandi, Sue has generally maintained a private life, and detailed information about her professional activities is not widely available.
Scott Arniel’s Nephew: Former NHL Player Jamie Arniel
Scott Arniel’s nephew is Jamie Arniel, a former Canadian professional ice hockey forward.
Jamie is the son of Scott’s older brother Steve Arniel and his wife, Suzanne.
He grew up in Kingston and developed through competitive junior hockey programs.
Jamie played in the Ontario Hockey League with the Guelph Storm and Sarnia Sting.
In the 2008 NHL Draft, the Boston Bruins selected him in the fourth round with the 97th overall pick.
He subsequently played professional hockey in the American Hockey League and overseas.
Jamie made his NHL debut for the Boston Bruins during the 2010-11 season.
His appearance continued the Arniel family’s tradition of producing professional hockey players.
According to the Original Hockey Hall of Fame, Jamie’s father Steve also played university hockey at Queen’s, highlighting the family’s multigenerational involvement in the sport.
Scott Arniel’s Grandfather and Family Sporting Heritage
Scott Arniel’s paternal grandfather was James “Jimmy” Arniel, another important figure in Kingston’s sporting history.
Jimmy was a talented baseball catcher who played for the Kingston Ponies.
He participated in several successful baseball teams during the 1920s and 1930s.
According to Canadian Baseball Network, Jimmy was a member of the Kingston team that won the 1935 Ontario Baseball Association senior championship.
His son Doug later participated in Kingston’s 1967 championship team.
The two became a notable father-and-son combination in the city’s baseball history.
Jimmy and Scott were both inducted into the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame.
These achievements demonstrate the Arniel family’s longstanding connection to Canadian athletics.
Scott Arniel’s Childhood and Family Background
Scott Arniel was born on September 17, 1962, in Kingston, Ontario.
Growing up, he participated in hockey, football, basketball, rugby, and track.
He attended Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute, where he developed into a successful multisport athlete.
Despite his involvement in several activities, hockey eventually became his main focus.
Scott began playing organized hockey through the Kingston Minor Hockey Association.
He later joined the Kingston Township Voyageurs before progressing to the Cornwall Royals of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
With Cornwall, Arniel won consecutive Memorial Cup championships in 1980 and 1981.
In the 1981 championship game, he scored three goals to help defeat the Kitchener Rangers.
He also represented Canada at the World Junior Championship, winning gold in 1982.
His achievements eventually attracted attention from NHL scouts.
On June 10, 1981, the original Winnipeg Jets selected him in the second round of the NHL Draft with the 22nd overall pick.
The selection began a professional hockey career that would ultimately influence his future marriage, family life, and coaching opportunities.
Scott Arniel’s NHL Playing and Coaching Career
Scott Arniel played 730 NHL regular-season games for the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins.
He recorded 149 goals and 189 assists for 338 points.
After leaving the NHL, he continued playing professionally in the American Hockey League and International Hockey League.
He finished his playing career with the Manitoba Moose in 1999.
Arniel then became an assistant coach with Manitoba before joining the Buffalo Sabres coaching staff.
In 2006, he returned to Winnipeg as head coach of the Manitoba Moose.
During the 2008-09 season, he guided the team to the Calder Cup Final and received the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding coach.
In June 2010, Arniel became head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
He later coached with the Chicago Wolves, New York Rangers, and Washington Capitals.
In 2022, he returned to Winnipeg as associate coach under Rick Bowness.
On May 24, 2024, the Jets appointed Arniel as their head coach following Bowness’s retirement.
The appointment represented a particularly meaningful moment because Winnipeg was where he had met Lia, raised his children, and established his family home.
During the 2024-25 season, he guided Winnipeg to the Presidents’ Trophy and became a finalist for the Jack Adams Award.
His coaching career has continued with the Jets, maintaining his family’s longstanding connection to Manitoba.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scott Arniel’s Family
Who is Scott Arniel’s wife?
Scott Arniel is married to Lia Arniel, a physiotherapist and business owner who established Whyte Ridge Physical Therapy in Winnipeg.
Where did Scott Arniel meet his wife?
Scott Arniel met Lia in Winnipeg during the early years of his professional hockey career with the original Winnipeg Jets.
When did Scott Arniel get married?
Scott and Lia have been married for many years, but their exact wedding date has not been reliably established in public sources.
How many children does Scott Arniel have?
Scott Arniel has two children with his wife, Lia: a son named Brendan and a daughter named Stephanie.
Who is Scott Arniel’s son?
His son is Brendan Arniel, who grew up in Winnipeg and was publicly mentioned during Scott’s return to coach the Manitoba Moose in 2006.
Who is Scott Arniel’s daughter?
His daughter is Stephanie Arniel, who was raised in Winnipeg alongside her brother Brendan.
Does Scott Arniel have grandchildren?
Yes. Scott Arniel and his wife are grandparents. The Winnipeg Jets have publicly documented his experiences as a grandfather, including his hopes of sharing the 2026 Heritage Classic with his grandchildren.
Who are Scott Arniel’s parents?
His parents were Douglas William Arniel and Barbara Arniel. They raised four children in Kingston, Ontario.
Who was Scott Arniel’s father?
His father was Doug Arniel, a successful Kingston baseball player who helped organize youth hockey opportunities for Scott. Doug died on September 29, 2021.
Who is Scott Arniel’s mother?
His mother is Barbara Arniel, whose maiden name was Loye.
How many siblings does Scott Arniel have?
Scott Arniel has three siblings: an older brother, Steve, and two sisters, Sandi and Sue.
Is Scott Arniel related to Jamie Arniel?
Yes. Jamie Arniel is Scott’s nephew and the son of his older brother Steve. Jamie played professional hockey and appeared in the NHL with the Boston Bruins.
Where is Scott Arniel’s family from?
Scott’s family of origin is from Kingston, Ontario. He and his wife established their family home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where they raised their children.
What NHL team does Scott Arniel coach?
Scott Arniel is the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets. He was appointed to the position on May 24, 2024.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
