In the 13 years since I last strapped on the hockey pads in a game that actually meant something, I’m often asked about memorable players that I’ve coached or gotten to know in my scouting travels since packing up the goalie mask in 2003.
One player that always comes to mind is Bradwardine native Ian Lowe – one of my favourite players to watch, coach and also get to know off the ice in my first two years of post-playing days.
A quick background: Swan River became my first home in the “real world” after university, accepting a job at the Swan Valley Star and Times following four years of school and hockey just outside of New York City. Indeed, it was a definite change of scenery and lifestyle.
Shortly after the move, I was approached by former Brandonite Del Pedrick, who was head coach of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Swan Valley Stampeders at the time (and a former coach of mine a few years earlier in Brandon), about joining the Stamps as an assistant coach.
That season, Lowe, who will turn 30 later this year, was a 17-year-old rookie in the MJHL who made an immediate impact with the Stampeders in what was the start of a remarkable junior career before attending Bemidji State University on an NCAA scholarship.
At 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Lowe was far from the towering and intimidating body frame that patrolled the majority of roster spots in a physically-demanding league. But the pesky centre never shied away from a battle and used his speed, quickness and agility to become an offensive and pesky threat each time he hopped over the boards.
After his time at Bemidji State, Lowe continued to the pro ranks, suiting up with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL in 2011-12, while also having a cup of team with the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars. Recently, Lowe re-signed a one-year deal with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder, where he just wrapped up his fourth season and second as team captain.
“My wife Candace and I really enjoy Wichita,” said Lowe, who spends his off-seasons in Kansas with Candace and their two young daughters, Braelynn, 2, and Brenna, 1. “It was kind of a no-brainer for us to want to stay here and play. I’ve seen the real good years here and the real bad years and I expect this upcoming season to be a great year with a new coach and a new affiliation with Ottawa (NHL) and their (AHL) affiliate in Binghamton.
Life in the minors can be a grind, admits Lowe, with long bus trips, a hectic schedule and a summer job to help support a young family (Lowe works for an industrial painting and scaffolding company in Kansas). But Lowe feels fortunate to have the opportunity to play pro hockey with an organization, community and fanbase that supports him.
“Minor pro hockey is not for everyone,” he said. “I didn’t even expect to play pro hockey, never mind six years of it. But I have to say that playing and meeting all the players, coaches, fans and everyone else has made me realize how lucky I’ve been to be able to make a living playing the game.”
While unsure how many more years he’ll lace up the skates, Lowe says at this point the ultimate goal is to capture a league title after coming so close a few years back. His fire and passion to win and compete hasn’t wavered since his junior days.
“Right now, where I am at in hockey and in my career, I would love to win a championship,” said Lowe. “We lost in Game 7 of the finals in overtime four years ago. It stung so much and seeing the older guys with tears in their eyes realizing how close we were was heartbreaking.”
Despite that competiveness and desire to win, Lowe knows that priorities have changed in his life. And when the buzzer sounds and he steps out of that dressing room, he must do his best to clear his mind of what happened on the ice, win or lose.
“I have a little different view on being a hockey player now,” he said. “My wife makes this household come together and work and when I have games or road trips, life doesn’t stop. Those two little girls want to play or get sick or have swim lessons, or cuddle on the couch right before I have to leave for a road trip or game. Playing hockey is really small compared to those two little girls.
“Yes, I hate to lose, but when I see those two girls and my wife after the game, you realize how lucky you are to be able to get paid to play a game and have your family watch you and think you are the best dad in the world.”
Fraser is a former Brandon-area sports editor and reporter who grew up in the Wheat City and has been involved in the athletic scene in Westman as a player, coach and media member. A former NCAA Division 1 goaltender, Mike is an 11-year Western Hockey League scout.
In the 13 years since I last strapped on the hockey pads in a game that actually meant something, I’m often asked about memorable players that I’ve coached or gotten to know in my scouting travels since packing up the goalie mask in 2003.
– See more at: http://www.westmanjournal.com/sports/local-sports/fraser-s-takes-lowe-a-memorable-player-1.2309997#sthash.OG8grvTB.dpuf
In the 13 years since I last strapped on the hockey pads in a game that actually meant something, I’m often asked about memorable players that I’ve coached or gotten to know in my scouting travels since packing up the goalie mask in 2003.
One player that always comes to mind is Bradwardine native Ian Lowe – one of my favourite players to watch, coach and also get to know off the ice in my first two years of post-playing days.
A quick background: Swan River became my first home in the “real world” after university, accepting a job at the Swan Valley Star and Times following four years of school and hockey just outside of New York City. Indeed, it was a definite change of scenery and lifestyle.
Shortly after the move, I was approached by former Brandonite Del Pedrick, who was head coach of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Swan Valley Stampeders at the time (and a former coach of mine a few years earlier in Brandon), about joining the Stamps as an assistant coach.
That season, Lowe, who will turn 30 later this year, was a 17-year-old rookie in the MJHL who made an immediate impact with the Stampeders in what was the start of a remarkable junior career before attending Bemidji State University on an NCAA scholarship.
At 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Lowe was far from the towering and intimidating body frame that patrolled the majority of roster spots in a physically-demanding league. But the pesky centre never shied away from a battle and used his speed, quickness and agility to become an offensive and pesky threat each time he hopped over the boards.
After his time at Bemidji State, Lowe continued to the pro ranks, suiting up with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL in 2011-12, while also having a cup of team with the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars. Recently, Lowe re-signed a one-year deal with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder, where he just wrapped up his fourth season and second as team captain.
“My wife Candace and I really enjoy Wichita,” said Lowe, who spends his off-seasons in Kansas with Candace and their two young daughters, Braelynn, 2, and Brenna, 1. “It was kind of a no-brainer for us to want to stay here and play. I’ve seen the real good years here and the real bad years and I expect this upcoming season to be a great year with a new coach and a new affiliation with Ottawa (NHL) and their (AHL) affiliate in Binghamton.
Life in the minors can be a grind, admits Lowe, with long bus trips, a hectic schedule and a summer job to help support a young family (Lowe works for an industrial painting and scaffolding company in Kansas). But Lowe feels fortunate to have the opportunity to play pro hockey with an organization, community and fanbase that supports him.
“Minor pro hockey is not for everyone,” he said. “I didn’t even expect to play pro hockey, never mind six years of it. But I have to say that playing and meeting all the players, coaches, fans and everyone else has made me realize how lucky I’ve been to be able to make a living playing the game.”
While unsure how many more years he’ll lace up the skates, Lowe says at this point the ultimate goal is to capture a league title after coming so close a few years back. His fire and passion to win and compete hasn’t wavered since his junior days.
“Right now, where I am at in hockey and in my career, I would love to win a championship,” said Lowe. “We lost in Game 7 of the finals in overtime four years ago. It stung so much and seeing the older guys with tears in their eyes realizing how close we were was heartbreaking.”
Despite that competiveness and desire to win, Lowe knows that priorities have changed in his life. And when the buzzer sounds and he steps out of that dressing room, he must do his best to clear his mind of what happened on the ice, win or lose.
“I have a little different view on being a hockey player now,” he said. “My wife makes this household come together and work and when I have games or road trips, life doesn’t stop. Those two little girls want to play or get sick or have swim lessons, or cuddle on the couch right before I have to leave for a road trip or game. Playing hockey is really small compared to those two little girls.
“Yes, I hate to lose, but when I see those two girls and my wife after the game, you realize how lucky you are to be able to get paid to play a game and have your family watch you and think you are the best dad in the world.”
Fraser is a former Brandon-area sports editor and reporter who grew up in the Wheat City and has been involved in the athletic scene in Westman as a player, coach and media member. A former NCAA Division 1 goaltender, Mike is an 11-year Western Hockey League scout.
– See more at: http://www.westmanjournal.com/sports/local-sports/fraser-s-takes-lowe-a-memorable-player-1.2309997#sthash.OG8grvTB.dpuf
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