Ian Lowe’s path to professional hockey didn’t come easy.  Standing 5’9, Lowe was constantly told he was too small for a career in hockey.   Now, playing in his sixth year at the pro level and leading the Wichita Thunder as team Captain, Lowe is focused on bringing home the team’s first Kelly Cup in franchise history.

Lowe grew up about 45 minutes outside of Brandon, Manitoba, in the town of Bradwardine.  For many Canadian born hockey players, getting to play major junior hockey in the Canadian Hockey League would be the overwhelming decision to best prepare for a lifetime of professional hockey.  But for Lowe, the choice was never in his hands.  He attended training camp with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League multiple times, and though it wasn’t from a lack of talent, Lowe was told he wasn’t big enough to make the step in the CHL.  Instead, he played three seasons of Jr. A hockey for the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, when he was offered a Division I hockey scholarship to Bemidji State University in Minnesota.

“I was a late bloomer, and definitely a smaller player growing up,” said Lowe.  “I think things worked out perfectly, in my opinion, because I was able to get stronger and mature in those three years playing for Swan Valley before I went to Bemidji. The decision to play NCAA hockey was great because education was always important for me. If you told me I was going succeed on and off the ice at Bemidji, I would have signed up quicker. For me, obtaining a degree while playing the game I love, everyday, only six hours from home, was the perfect recipe for success.”

As a student-athlete, Lowe was aware Bemidji stressed the importance of the educational aspect, which first and foremost, came before athletics.  He studied Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Construction Management, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science by the end of his senior year.  He also earned three All-Academic Team selections along the way.

“From the first time I stepped on campus, they (Bemidji coaching staff and officials) stressed that education had precedent over hockey.  Their goal was to get us to graduate in four years, and that our time on campus wasn’t all about hockey.  I loved it because I know that when I am done my hockey career, I have that degree to follow up on.”

In terms of on-ice success, Lowe had no shortage of it while attending Bemidji State. In fact, during the 2008-09 season, Lowe helped Bemidji experience their most successful season at the Division I level, capturing the CHA Championship before advancing to the Frozen Four with a win over the top seeded University of Notre Dame.

“That year was a big step for our hockey program. There was some turmoil because school officials were unsure whether our hockey program would stick around the following year or not. Essentially, the success we had that season kept the program at Bemidji and solidified their spot in college hockey where they still continue their pursuit of excellence.”

Through his years in the game of hockey, leadership has always been an attribute Lowe prides himself on. “I like to be a professional with everything I do. Whether that is at the rink or away, I try to do the right thing everyday. I know I’m not the most vocal guy in the dressing room, but you don’t have to lead by speaking up. You can lead by example with hard work and determination, and when younger guys see that, I hope they take something from me.”

Despite playing professional hockey for six seasons, the transition from College to pro did not come without learning experiences at and away from the rink. “When you come out of College, you have that routine because everything is so busily scheduled. Your days are booked with practice, workouts, class and study hall; you don’t have time for much else. At the professional level, you have an hour of practice and a small workout; it was challenging not knowing what to do with the rest of my time. The on ice stuff was tough, too. You had guys getting called up, waived, and released, consistently, whereas in College, the team you have at the beginning of the season is the team you stick with for the year.  I found it was difficult to create much chemistry because you never knew who would be on your line and how long they would be there for. ”

Lowe experienced a brief stint in the American Hockey League in 2011-12 during his rookie year.  It was an early Christmas present of sort, as Lowe was informed he was getting called up to play for the Texas Stars while at a Christmas party. Despite playing in only 6 games, he is forever thankful that he was able to have that experience.

“I never expected to get called up, but it was a great feeling. I know it’s a great league, but it takes first hand experience to understand how good those guys are up there. It was great to see how much hard work it requires everyday, and so I got a great perspective at the level of competitiveness you need to be an AHL player.”

Lowe took that experience in the AHL and brought it to the Wichita Thunder.  To Lowe’s teammates, it is evident that he brings the proper attitude and work ethic to the rink each day. That is why Lowe was not only named team Captain, but also elected as the team’s Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) Player Representative, a post he has held for the past few seasons.

“I had two little girls at the time, so it’s good to account for everything outside of hockey whether it’s off-ice insurance or anything else.  It has been interesting to learn about all the services they offer the players, and pass that information along to my teammates.  The union is there to help the players.”

Lowe understands that at the end of the day, hockey is a business.  “You have to watch out for yourself and your teammates, especially given the role as their Player Representative. The game isn’t the easiest to get into and stick around, especially at the professional level. That’s where the union helps; to have Executive Director Larry Landon and his staff on our side, it keeps things smooth and secure.  If the PHPA wasn’t involved, things would be chaos.  You hear the horror stories from the leagues outside of North America.  Here, you don’t have to worry about that because you know the union keeps things fair and honest for both sides of the game.”

Lowe credits the PHPA for a smooth transition when Wichita and 6 other Central Hockey League franchises consolidated with the ECHL in 2014. “The PHPA did a great job taking care of the headaches the players in the Central League had during that time. I can credit the fact that I can come back to Wichita year after year, to a unionized environment, knowing the PHPA is there and has our backs.

Lowe returned to the Thunder this season with one goal in mind; winning a championship. It’s Lowe’s hard work and determination that has kept his career going, and he knows that due to his lack of size, it’s his heart and determination that will never allow him to be outplayed by somebody bigger and stronger.

After spending 5 consecutive seasons in Wichita, Lowe’s understands how sweet it would be to raise the Kelly Cup with the Wichita Thunder jersey on his back – his priority for the 2016-17’ campaign.