Lowry excelling as Jets captain

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This article was published 07/11/2023 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. LOUIS — Adam Lowry hasn’t had much time for quiet reflection this season. It’s been one thing after another for the new Winnipeg Jets captain, who is still getting his feet wet as the new official face of the franchise.

As he approaches the end of his first full regular-season month in the role, Lowry sat down with the Free Press in his birthplace of St. Louis to talk shop Tuesday, a few hours before puck drop against the Blues. With the obvious excitement of where they’ve been — and where they might be going — came a candid confession.

“There’s certainly been some things that are tough to deal with,” said Lowry. “There’s been some heavy things.”

All of which have put the sport they play for a living in the proper perspective. First there was the seizure suffered by Judy Bowness, the wife of their beloved head coach, Rick, which has led to a leave of absence now seven games long and counting. There remains no timetable for his return.

“It’s just such a terrible situation,” said Lowry.

Then came the on-ice death of pro hockey player Adam Johnson in England after his neck was cut by an opponent’s skate. The tragedy really hit home for several members of the Jets, especially defenceman Neal Pionk who viewed Johnson as a brother, had him as a groomsman two years ago and is struggling to cope with his grief.

“Death is never an easy thing to deal with,” said Lowry. “As a teammate the biggest thing you want to do is support the guys that are going through a tragic time. Dealing with our grief, it’s almost a blessing to have so many of them together, in that they were able to be together and lean on each other.”

“There’s certainly been some things that are tough to deal with … There’s been some heavy things.”–Adam Lowry

Pionk, along with Alex Iafallo, Dominic Toninato and Dylan Samberg left the team for 48-hours during this week-long road trip, attending Johnson’s funeral Sunday in Minnesota and his celebration of life Monday, where Pionk was one of the speakers.

“I think having the strength and the bonds we have, different people to lean on, it’s certainly helped in those instances,” said Lowry.

There’s been several other emotional events as well. Young defenceman Ville Heinola, on the cusp of cracking the opening-night roster, broke his ankle in the final preseason game. New forward Gabriel Vilardi, playing his old team (the Los Angeles Kings) for the first time in the third game of the year, suffered a sprained MCL.

Pierre-Luc Dubois and former captain Blake Wheeler both made their highly anticipated returns to Winnipeg in the first few weeks of the campaign. Ticket sales have nose-dived, with multiple record-low crowds in the 2.0 era, leading to plenty of angst regarding the organization.

Truth be told, Lowry has had to deal with his own internal battles of taking on added responsibility and wanting to do right by everyone — his teammates, the organization and the community.

“I think early on, with the news being so new, the excitement around the season, it might have felt a little overhwhelming at times,” said Lowry.

“Obviously you put a lot of pressure on yourself to perform and want to get off to a good start as the captain.”

There’s no question Lowry has done that, and then some. Individually, the 30-year-old is off to a blistering start with eight points (two goals and six assists) in the 11 games heading into action against St. Louis. That has him on pace for 60 points over a full 82-game season. His career high is 36, set last year.

Lowry’s line, with Nino Niederreiter and Mason Appleton, has been dominant, and underlying analytics suggest it’s one of the best trios in the entire NHL.

“The biggest thing is, we’re hot right now and we’re contributing on the scoresheet, but we’re trying to find ways to influence the game in a positive manner,” said Lowry.

“Everyone knows we’re not going to chip in two, three goals every night, but finding a way to make a difference, tilting the ice, drawing penalties to get our power play out there, things like that. The hot start has been fantastic. I think now it’s about maintaining it.”

“The biggest thing is, we’re hot right now and we’re contributing on the scoresheet, but we’re trying to find ways to influence the game in a positive manner.”–Adam Lowry on his line’s success

Lowry is not only an ambassador for the Jets and True North, but for Toba Centre for Children & Youth. He’s more than just a figurehead, actually attending meetings regularly and playing a pivotal role in planning and marketing (including hosting several kids and families at a game last month).

There’s also a social co-ordinator aspect to his new title, which involves making sure all players on the team are comfortable and included.

“You can’t measure the bonds. There have been teams that won that had players on the team that couldn’t stay in the same room together. But I think it certainly helps when everybody gets along so well,” said Lowry.

“Here, there’s no real cliques or that kind of thing. Different guys are going out for dinner with different guys and getting to know each other. It’s not a thing you can measure tangibly but I think it helps. You start to build those bonds, and I think the respect and the friendship goes a long way to sacrificing yourself on the ice and sticking up for teammates and those little things that you can’t measure but they certainly add up in the long run.”

That’s especially true when the going gets tough, as it’s done early and often for the Jets in mainly non-hockey ways. This road trip has provided plenty of opportunity, from a team Halloween party last week, a few dinners together and a Sunday round of golf in Arizona.

“Whether it’s a losing streak or tough things away from the rink, when you’re able to lean on each other for support and you’re able to go to guys you trust and respect. I think that certainly helps,” said Lowry.

“When you’re having fun at the rink you want to stay at the rink, you want to work on your game, you’re open to talking to guys about what you see in your game or what you see in their game. That’s where you see those improvements. I think it’s awesome, we have a great group of guys in here.”

Lowry’s actions, on and off the ice, have earned rave reviews from associate coach Scott Arniel, who is serving as the interim bench boss until Bowness returns.

“A lot of challenges for him that he’s had to face. The biggest thing for (my) history of being around guys who have been named captain is that sometimes they forget to play their game,” said Arniel.

“That’s probably the thing that hasn’t happened to Lows. He’s continued to play his game to a T. He’s leading by example on the ice, first and foremost and then when he comes into the dressing room, he’s done a fantastic job through these tough times that we’ve had of family and different scenarios that have come upon us. But also just keeping the guys and getting out together, growing together. As a captain, there’s a lot on those guys’ plate and he’s handled it really well.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg