Lowry a natural leader Jets captain has earned the ‘C’ By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 5:44 PM CDT Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023

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This article was published 12/10/2023 (1039 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY – It was a fitting setting for the next chapter of the Adam Lowry story, even if it didn’t include the Hollywood ending.

The veteran Winnipeg Jets forward wore the captain’s ‘C’ on his jersey for the first time in an NHL regular-season game Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome — in his hometown.

“It’s kind of like a perfect way to start,” said Lowry, speaking last week with the Free Press. “In the city I grew up in, against one of the teams I grew up cheering for, my dad (Dave) played in the organization and I still spend my summers there.

“That’s where a lot of my development came. The city of Calgary, the Bow Valley minor hockey association, playing for the Calgary Buffaloes as well, those two organizations and all of the people that volunteered their time to coach us as kids, from the time I was eight years old from the time I was moving away to Swift Current, it makes it come full circle.

“You feel a lot of gratitude toward all of those people who gave up so much time and so much of their wisdom, not just to enable you as a hockey player but to instill some lessons you can take forward as a person.”

The Jets fell 5-3 to the Flames in the 2023-24 season-opener for both Western Conference squads. Winnipeg’s home-opener is set for Saturday afternoon when the Florida Panthers pay a visit.

The fact Lowry was thinking of others before experiencing a moment that was so meaningful for him is part of the reason the Jets made him the third captain in 2.0 history last month.

During an extended conversation, Lowry took some time to reminisce on his career to date, and to expand on a comment he made on the day he was unveiled as captain.

“(Being captain) was something I grew up with and was comfortable with. I wore letters basically since they started handing them out,” said Lowry, embarking on his 10th NHL season. “I always felt comfortable speaking my mind. But the style of leadership I’m going to bring is having that consistent effort every day. I know I’m not the most skilled guy on the team and I know I’m not the best player. But there’s a consistent element to my game, a hard-working element where guys will know I have their back, guys will know that I will show up every day and I’m going to put my best foot forward.”

Those qualities were evident when he was just a teen.

“You feel a lot of gratitude toward all of those people who gave up so much time and so much of their wisdom, not just to enable you as a hockey player but to instill some lessons you can take forward as a person.”–Adam Lowry

“He was a leader right when he came to camp as a 16-year-old,” said Mark Lamb, who was Lowry’s head coach with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League and eventually named him captain. “He just led in a different way. He led himself to make the team. He did all of the little things that we like in hockey players. He did that at a very young age. Then he just grew into his body and his skill and everything else. But he’s always had that mindset.”

The Jets chose him third round of their first draft in 2011. He’d play four years for the Broncos, including a stellar 2012-13 campaign when he fired 45 goals and added 43 assists.

Turning pro, his physical stature (6-foot-6, 210 pounds) wasn’t the only thing that caught the attention of his new teammates.

Former Jets and Manitoba Moose forward Jason Jaffray was the captain of the St. John’s IceCaps of the American Hockey League as Lowry played his first professional season.

He remembers that Lowry kid made quite an impression back then.

“A lot of it comes from his professionalism. You don’t see that many rookies come into the AHL and act the way that he did right away,” said Jaffray, who was Lowry’s road roommate. “It probably helps growing up in that world and just seeing how it all progresses. But he came in and it was a fairly easy transition for him to slide into the AHL lineup, which isn’t easy for a lot of prospects moving up through the system.

“There’s a lot of guys that come in and they expect it to be easy and they expect everything to be handed to him. That wasn’t the case with Adam. He came in and was very quiet in the room for his first season, which is good. That’s what you want with those young guys. You want them to learn and see how it’s all done a specific way. He learned and he took everything in. Now, he wasn’t quiet on the ice. He was a big body and he came to play. That helps those leadership qualities. If your work ethic is where it needs to be, everybody seems to follow.”

That’s what the Jets are banking on, that his lead-by-example ethos and blue-collar work ethic allow him to take the next step on this remarkable journey.

“He’s always been a quality-over-quantity guy, it’s not like he’s talking all of the time in the room, but when he does speak, guys are listening. He’s continued with that.”–Brenden Dillon

“He’s always been a quality-over-quantity guy, it’s not like he’s talking all of the time in the room, but when he does speak, guys are listening. He’s continued with that,” said Jets defenceman Brenden Dillon. “My words of advice for him and something I think that’s been a big thing for guys in the past, like (Joe Pavelski) and (Joe Thornton) in San Jose and then in Dallas, Jamie Benn was named captain when I was there, I always found those guys not trying to change. There’s a reason why they’re in the role that they’re in.

“The reason he’s earned the captaincy is because of the player and the person he is. So, don’t try to be something different or new or fake. Just continue to be who you are, because that’s what has gotten him to this point and gotten him to be so well respected.”

Given his unique perspective as someone who served as a captain in a Canadian market, Lowry’s father was well positioned to offer some sage advice.

“No. 1, he’s a great person. He does a lot of great work in the community, he’s extremely liked and respected throughout the NHL,” said Dave Lowry, a former Jets assistant and interim head coach who is now an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken. “The biggest thing is don’t change who you are. Stay humble, stay true to yourself and just go out every night and be the best player that you can be.

“It’s obviously a tremendous honour and a huge accomplishment. But if you’ve followed his career and watched him through the Western Hockey League and come in and play in the NHL, he’s always been a leader, whether he’s had a letter on his jersey or not. He’s never changed who he is, he’s always played the game the right way and he’s always tried to drag his teams into the fight.”

In case you were wondering, the guy who last wore the ‘C’ for the Jets also approves of the decision.

“An incredible presence in the locker room,” said Wheeler. “The way he plays the game every single night. There’s never a question mark about how he’s going to show up to the rink. First guy to stand up for his teammates, one of the toughest guys in the league. I couldn’t have any more respect than I do for Adam Lowry.

“He’s one of my favourite teammates I’ve played with. Really, really proud of him and I’m excited that organization is in good hands for a long time.”

Although he’s still in the early stages of the new responsibilities, Lowry feels like he’s finding his groove.

“I would say the first couple of weeks, it was a little overwhelming, just in terms of the off the ice stuff, the interview requests and community relations stuff. But in a positive way. It was big news for me, big news for the organization,” said Lowry, noting that he’s been leaning on alternate captains Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey.

“That’s what is going to help me throughout the year. To lean on those guys for help, for advice and working through this thing. It’s still a collective leadership group. It’s something we’re going to continue to work through and grow together with.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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