Earlier today the Winnipeg Jets hired Dave Lowry as an assistant coach. An outstanding hire, Lowry offers a plethora of experience as a coach and former NHL player. He also has some obvious familiarity with the Jets as son, Adam Lowry, has been a member of the organization since being drafted by Winnipeg in 2011.
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Vast Coaching Experience
Most recently, Lowry was stationed two hours east of Winnipeg operating the bench as Head Coach of the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings last season. Prior to that, Lowry had been an assistant coach on the LA Kings staff for two seasons (2017-2019). The Sudbury born, and Ottawa raised Lowry also had one previous NHL stop during his coaching career – three seasons as an assistant with the Calgary Flames from 2009-2012.
In between NHL stops in Calgary and LA, Lowry also spent five seasons as Head Coach of the Victoria Royals. I can say without question, that those were the best five years of my non-playing hockey career. At that time, I was scouting for Victoria and subsequently had the pleasure of befriending Coach Lowry.
Natural Leader
Dave is likely the most natural leader of any person I have ever met – in or outside of sport. As such, he had an uncanny ability to guide the organization as a cohesive unit. He and General Manager at that time, Cam Hope, created an environment where everyone (players and staff alike) were pulling on the same chain – towards the same goal. As a result, selfish members of the group were held accountable accordingly.
It was one of the best team cultures I have ever experienced. We had some good teams in Victoria during that time, but the organization itself was full of outstanding people.
What stood out most to me about Lowry was his intelligence. Specifically, his social intelligence. He always had this innate ability to read and command a room with great respect. Dave is a big proponent of the details and has a way of getting the most out of players by being tough, but fair. He is also an individual who thrives under any type of adversity and is a true professional when it comes to managing tough situations.
Family Man
Lastly, Lowry has significant experience with this generation of athlete. In addition to Adam, Lowry also has an older son Joel (former LA Kings draft choice that spent last season with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds), and daughters Sarah and Tessa. Of course, the silver stick (granted to players with 1,000 NHL games played) in his office also gives him plenty of ‘street cred’ with players at every level of the game.
Could not be happier for Dave and Elaine and wish them nothing but the best times in Winnipeg!
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