When you think of coaches and how they travel or move around it might help if you put it in the same context as the country classic “I’ve Been Everywhere” recorded by Hank Snow in 1962 that eventually became one of his number one hits.
Travel seems to be the “norm” for coaches in today’s world, simply because they eventually become the “scapegoat” for any team’s poor performance, which is sad!
Now we are hearing that former Victoria Royals bench boss Dave Lowry found his way to yet another WHL team 125 miles (201 KM) west of Winnipeg, namely Brandon and becomes the team’s 23rd Head Coach.
Those in the area are familiar with the fact that Grant Armstrong and staff were not re-hired at the conclusion of last season, probably due to money issues but we’ll truly never know.
The newest Wheat Kings coach comes via the NHL and BC’s Capital City Victoria a while back with the Royals, but time and career’s march on.
Now we are hearing that Lowry was named as the Wheat Kings bench boss July 18th and as one might expect he took the time to personally thank Kings owner Kelly McCrimmon
He (Lowry) spent four seasons with the Hitmen starting from the 2005-06 season through the 08-09 season, then signed with the Flames in the 2009-10 season that saw him spend three seasons as an Assistant Coach.
After that he went back to his roots with the WHL as the Head Coach of the Victoria Royals (2012-2017) where he was named Assistant Coach for Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
From there he re-joined the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings where he spent two seasons starting in the 2017-18.
Earlier in July Darren Ritchie was named the team’s GM and as one might expect is pleased to be working with Dave.
Lowry mentioned “It’s been a great couple of days. I came in on Wednesday and I’ve been hard at it since and it’s been great talking with the new staff and setting our expectations for the upcoming season.”
After working with professional athletes for the past two years, Lowry is back in a league that he’s spent most of his coaching career in. Prior to this season, he’s spent nine years in the WHL and five in the NHL.
“I think the biggest thing is going to be the size of the players again,” said Lowry. “We’re going to have some guys that just aren’t that big.”
“At the end of the day, it’s the same game,” he continued. “When it comes to teaching it, it’s the same thing. Our biggest challenge is making sure that these guys get to school, get to the rink and get home at night.”
Brandon finished just outside of the playoff picture last season. They went 31-29-4-4 for 70 points. That ended up being two points behind the Red Deer Rebels, who earned the final playoff spot.
Lowry told the media “I like our skill and I like the pace that we’re going to be able to play at and the biggest thing that is encouraging is that we have really good goaltending and I really like the age of our group and overall skill level.”
Main camp which starts on August 28.
Almost forgot – the song “I’ve Been Everywhere” was written by Australian Country Singer Geoff Mack and re-recorded by Lucky Starr in 1962.
