The Winnipeg Jets have slowly begun putting the pieces in place for what appears to be a strong 2020-21 COVID-19 shortened season. With the latest reports out of the NHLPA meetings indicating that the league will see an approximate 60-game season with divisional realignments, teams are starting to shape their rosters accordingly.
The Jets are no stranger to revamped lineups, and much can be said of the moves made already thus far in free agency for the team looking to challenge presumed No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs in the all-Canadian division this winter. Having already added a key ingredient in second-line centre Paul Stastny (who will fill in nicely between Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers in place of injured Bryan Little), the team re-signed goaltender Laurent Brossoit and defencemen Dylan DeMelo, Nate Beaulieu and Luca Sbisa, while later putting the pen to paper on contracts with youngsters Sami Niku and Jansen Harkins. Oh and wait, Winnipeg also signed its 2020 first round draft pick Cole Perfetti to a three-year, entry-level deal.
-
Ep 76: Oilers, Flames, Winter Classic Jersey, Avs, and More
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 6:42 am
Jim and Chris are back for another edition of Full Press Hockey Weekly to […]
On Monday, the club announced yet another key signing for the coming season, that of assistant coach Dave Lowry. And yes, that Dave Lowry – father to Jets third-line centre, net-presence, agitator and penalty-killer Adam Lowry.
“This is a great opportunity,” Lowry told reporters Monday. “I look at the staff that’s in place as an opportunity to come in and work with Paul Maurice. I look at his resume, his pedigree along with Jamie Kompon, Charlie Huddy and Wade Flaherty, this is a great opportunity. When you get an opportunity to come in and be a part of a staff where you can continue to learn, that’s something that is really exciting and that drew me closer to this opportunity.”
The 55-year-old Sudbury, Ontario product actually suited up for 1,084 NHL contests in a lengthy career that spanned 19 seasons and saw the former Calgary Flames captain (2000-02) dress for the Vancouver Canucks, the St. Louis Blues, the Florida Panthers, the San Jose Sharks and the Flames. His coaching career has also been in the works for the better part of 15 years.
“I think the big thing is how you connect with the players, and how you have to evolve with the times,” Lowry reflected. “I know when I first started playing hockey, you could talk to players differently than you can (now). And the conditioning skates in practice sometimes didn’t really have a purpose, it was more of a punishment. The biggest thing is the evolution of the player, but the coaches have also evolved as well, how you communicate, how you get your message across, your point across. And understand there’s a right way to do it.”
According to the veteran bench boss, Jets current head coach Paul Maurice had actually approached him on joining his staff four years prior, but in thinking of the best path for his son’s development, the well-travelled hockey mind stayed put, until this situation presented itself.
“This actually came right out of the blue,” Lowry shared. “I got a phone call from Paul wondering if I would have interest in coming in and talking to him and seeing if this would be a fit. Paul and I had talked I think it was four years ago when the NHL Draft was in Buffalo and he had approached me and asked if I would have any interest. We mutually agreed at that point in time that this wasn’t the right fit. I felt and Paul felt that Adam wasn’t an established player in the NHL and he was still finding his way. We left it at that. Four years later, he’s a solid NHL player, he’s established himself in the NHL and that’s what allowed this opportunity to come to fruition.”
“It was something that we had to have Adam’s blessing on,” Lowry said. “And I totally understood that if he wasn’t comfortable with me coming in and being part of the staff, this is something I wouldn’t have continued to pursue. With Adam’s blessing, I realize and recognize he’s an established player in the NHL and it should be an easy transition.”
With former assistant coach Todd Woodcroft leaving Winnipeg for an opportunity to serve as head coach of the University of Vermont this past spring, the door opened for Lowry, who had just finished off a strong 35-22-6 campaign as the man in charge of the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings. Accepting that job in time for the 2019-20 season, Manitoba’s oldest WHL team will now begin its collective search for a new head coach for the coming 2020-21 WHL season.
“I know there’s unfinished business in Brandon,” Lowry said. “I really like the way the team has grown; I really enjoyed watching the growth after Christmas and how this team came together and really understood what it took to be a competitive group. I really like the lessons that we learned. I know this team is in a better place today and I know moving forward this team has an opportunity to win. I’ll sit back and I’ll enjoy watching the success.”
Prior to joining the Jets, Lowry had spent time as a coach with the NHL’s Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings, while also serving for 10 seasons within the WHL in various roles with the Calgary Hitmen, Victoria Royals and most recently the Wheat Kings. But only once before has he coached his son, and it was a long time ago.
“I actually coached Adam in his peewee year, so 2004-05, the year of the NHL lockout, my final season,” Lowry reminisced. “I didn’t come back and play when play resumed. I coached his Peewee team with a couple other guys here in Calgary… But the coaching that he has received up to this point has been second to none and I’m excited to be on a bench and watch him continue to grow as a player. I look at this that we’re both professionals. I’m a coach, he’s a player and that’s the way this works. I know that early on there might some different looks he might give me and whatever but this is something we’ve talked about and are both comfortable doing going forward. It’s something we’re gonna enjoy.”
Maurice, who signed a fresh three-year contract extension with Winnipeg beginning in time for the 2020-21 season, had nothing but praise for his incoming staff member.
“Dave brings a tremendous amount of experience to our coaching staff in a variety of different areas,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice on Monday. “First of all, his success working with young players in their development can’t be denied as he had an excellent season last year in Brandon and has coached the country’s top junior players. He has worked in all aspects of special teams during his time as an NHL assistant coach, and in fact was part of a Los Angeles Kings team that saw a dramatic improvement of 25 goals at 5-on-5 in his first year there. We’re very excited to bring Dave on-board and join our staff.”
Lowry, who appears equally excited for the new position, knows his role with the Jets will be ever-shaping, and his relationship with his son – as well as that of his fellow coaches – will also continue to blossom.
“I look at the job Paul has done,” Lowry said. “I’m here to complement and to help any way I can. And whatever I’m asked to do, I look forward to the challenge. It’s funny, through a conversation that Paul and I were having, that’s one of the things he did mention. Out of a lot of candidates, this would be a team that I knew a lot about and was extremely familiar with. One thing that I like to do, when I do watch and when I did watch Winnipeg play, I like to sit back and enjoy the game. But as a coach, you’re always watching what the tendencies are, what the systems are and you just try to pick up as much information as you can. Hopefully, you can find something along the lines that you can implement into your game.”
-
Ep 76: Oilers, Flames, Winter Classic Jersey, Avs, and More
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 6:42 am
Jim and Chris are back for another edition of Full Press Hockey Weekly to […]
-
Ep 75: Hockey After Dark
by Full Press Coverage on November 15, 2023 at 3:12 am
Jim and Chris are back for the first edition of Full Press Hockey After […]
-
Ep 74: Drama In Ottawa, McAvoy Suspended, NHL Rumors, and More!
by Full Press Coverage on November 2, 2023 at 1:27 pm
In a jam-packed episode, Jim and Chris discuss the drama in Ottawa with […]
-
Off to Motown: Patrick Kane Signs with Detroit Red Wings
by Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey […]
-
What's on Russ's Mind: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Russ Cohen of Full Press Hockey, […]
-
Off To Alberta To Check On The Edmonton Oilers
by Full Press Coverage on November 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Avry Lewis-McDougall of the […]
-
Ep 87: Captain Brad Marchand, New Season Expectations, Bruins Hockey Is Back
by Full Press Coverage on October 11, 2023 at 11:10 pm
Ian and Chris return for the start of the Bruins season as they talk Brad […]
-
Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
-
S5Ep13 - Patrick Kane Signs with Detroit Red Wings
by Jim Biringer on November 28, 2023 at 5:21 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey in a […]
-
S5Ep12 - Time For William Nylander To Get Paid
by Jim Biringer on November 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
Avalanche at Ducks - Canucks at Flames - Capitals at Golden Knights
by Broken Controller Media on December 2, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Hunter Logan Previews Avalanche at Ducks, Canucks at Flames, Capitals at […]
-
Sabres at Hurricanes - Red Wings at Canadiens - Kraken at Senators
by Broken Controller Media on December 2, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Hunter Logan Previews Sabres at Hurricanes, Red Wings at Canadiens, Kraken […]
-
Lightning at Stars - Blackhawks at Jets - Rangers at Predators - Islanders at Panthers
by Broken Controller Media on December 2, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Hunter Logan Previews Lightning at Stars, Blackhawks at Jets, Rangers at […]
-
Episode #147: Sloppy October Is Over?
by Full Press Coverage on November 2, 2023 at 8:37 pm
On this edition of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah finish out the […]
-
Episode #146: Spooky Luck
by Full Press Coverage on October 27, 2023 at 4:09 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Mr. Anderson (Sean) and Tina […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 828
by Charlie Saunier on December 1, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Ep 828 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 6-1 L Vs Wild Preview Rangers & […]
-
Full Press Islanders - 12-1 - Take the 2 points and run
by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Last night wasn't pretty but they found a way to win and that's what […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 12-1 - Carolina Falls 5-4 in Overtime Against the Islanders.
by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 4:30 pm
The Hurricanes thoroughly outshot the New York Islanders 43-16, but the […]
-
Leafs Digest - 12-1 - MASSIVE Trade Incoming? - Trade Reports INTENSIFYING
by BCM on December 1, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Nick Gosse and Darius Domingues break down recent reports highlighting […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 12-1 - Shootout loss, Maple Leafs, Marner
by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Recapping the shootout loss to Toronto. Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Wild - 12-1 - Recapping a dominating Wild win over the predators.
by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Win, Nashville, domination, Connor Dewar. Learn more about your ad […]
-
11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFL
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
-
11/27 - Thanksgiving Recap; Jalen Hurts, NFL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Ian and John recap Thanksgiving weekend, discuss Jalen Hurts' moment, and […]
-
11/24 - Thanksgiving Recap, Jets/Dolphins, Week 12 Picks
by Full Press Coverage on November 24, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Ian and John react to all of the action on Thanksgiving Day and look ahead […]
-
11/23 - Thanksgiving Day Preview, Tom Brady, Top 5 NFL Teams
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Ian and John discuss the Thanksgiving Day slate of games in the NFL, Tom […]
-
Ep 193: Ayako Hamada
by Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Ayako Hamada has had a wide and varied career through AAA, SHIMMER, TNA, […]
-
Ep. 262 - The In Season Tournament is Going Better Than Anyone Expected
by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 12:56 am
Jet and Sap share their thoughts now that group play is over with in the […]
-
Ep 198: Week 13 vs Chiefs
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 8:20 pm
In this episode, co-hosts Kyle Senra and Jesse Hall are joined by Braden […]
-
Ep 316: Week 13 Fantasy Football Preview
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 4:08 am
In this episode, Kyle Serna and Brad Harvin provide a survival guide for […]
-
11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFL
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
-
Ep 180: Hall of Fame Class Of 2024 Semifinalists Discussion
by Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Ira and Clark dissect the 2024 Hall of Fame class semifinalists. Learn […]
-
Ep 197: Recapping Weeks 11 & 12
by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 11:26 pm
This episode is a double-dip in a good way. Kyle Senra and Jesse Hall […]
-
11/27 - Thanksgiving Recap; Jalen Hurts, NFL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Ian and John recap Thanksgiving weekend, discuss Jalen Hurts' moment, and […]