Previous to the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Adam Lowry was named the brand new captain of the Winnipeg Jets. Responses have been a bit combined. Some followers celebrated his new title whereas others argued in favour of different gamers. Let’s check out how Lowry’s first 12 months as captain went and what makes him such a powerful chief each on and off the ice.
Lowry’s Path to Captaincy
The Jets chosen Lowry 67th within the third spherical of the 2011 NHL Draft and he has performed the whole lot of his profession in Winnipeg. In his rookie season (2014-15), he scored 11 targets and led the group with 255 hits. He’s scored 105 targets, tallied 134 assists, and recorded 1,878 hits in 702 NHL video games. He’s lauded as one of many hardest guys on the group and isn’t afraid to face up for his teammates.
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Behind Mark Scheifele, Lowry is the second longest-tenured Jets participant on the present roster. He centred the most effective strains on the group final season with Mason Appleton and Nino Niederreiter, filling out the gritty third line that was not often separated. He’s one of many Jets’ greatest five-on-five forwards and is crucial to the penalty kill.
Lowry Exemplifies On-Ice Management
Lowry was a frontrunner within the dressing room previous to his first season as captain. He was beforehand one of many group’s alternate captains, together with Scheifele and Josh Morrissey, after Blake Wheeler was stripped of his captaincy. He all the time led by instance, and that was no totally different along with his gritty, team-first type of play final season. He’s not afraid to sacrifice himself on the ice, whether or not in a combat or with a gutsy block, of which he hit a career-high of 65 final season. Not solely that, however beneath his management, the group had a incredible common season, ending second within the Central Division.
It’s no secret that Lowry is among the most revered guys within the league. Previous to turning into captain, certainly one of his most notable traits was the best way he all the time confirmed up for his teammates and performed exhausting in each scenario. That didn’t change final season, even along with his new title. When requested about Lowry midway by final season, Cole Perfetti famous, “He has everybody’s again on this room[…] He would do something for anybody” (from “‘He’s the identical Adam:’ Jets collectively as they’ve ever been beneath captain Lowry,” The Winnipeg Solar, Jan. 18, 2024). He all the time stood up for his teammates, confirmed up for the group (even on off days), and performed exhausting each single recreation.
Lowry’s Management Extends Off the Ice
He’s as a lot of a frontrunner off the ice as he’s on it. Group chemistry final season gave the impression to be at an all-time excessive. He’s all the time encouraging his teammates and dealing with them to get higher as a bunch. Brayden Yager, who the Jets obtained in trade for Rutger McGroarty just a few weeks in the past, informed reporters the opposite day that Lowry was one of many first gamers to succeed in out and welcome him to the group. Lowry, in flip, emphasised to reporters how he needs everybody to really feel welcome, even when they haven’t performed for the group but. Little gestures like this are important to group cohesion, and having a captain keen to go the additional mile for his teammates is a good signal for issues to come back.
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Lowry can also be a vital piece within the better Winnipeg group. Final season, he obtained the Jets Neighborhood Service Award for his work with the Toba Centre for Youngsters & Youth, a nonprofit group devoted to serving to victims of kid abuse. He’s been an envoy for the group since 2022 and makes appearances at a wide range of occasions all year long. He’s not solely a frontrunner for his group, however he’s a frontrunner for town and works to make a constructive influence locally.
Not A lot Is Set to Change for Lowry’s Captaincy This Season
If it isn’t damaged, don’t repair it. Lowry informed reporters in a casual interview that he needs to “method [captaincy] equally to final 12 months” and guarantee that he “brings the hassle, exhibits up for [his] teammates day-after-day, and [tries] to keep up deal with [their] finish objective, the Stanley Cup.” He additionally quipped in regards to the different nice leaders within the room who “make [his] job simple.”
Ought to Lowry preserve his requirements of management and character this season, the group will thrive. He’s a devoted, worthy chief who’s dedicated to the betterment of the group and makes constructive adjustments each on and off the ice. With a frontrunner like that, the Jets are positive to be in place going ahead.
