Dave Lowry is still on the Victoria Royals’ bench, at least for now.
Matt Sekeres of TSN 1040 reported Tuesday that it is his understanding Lowry “is not a candidate for any role” with the Vancouver Canucks, who fired head coach Willie Desjardins this month.
Former NHLer Travis Green is expected to be named today as the new head coach of the Canucks.
It had been speculated that Lowry could either replace Green as head coach of the Canucks’ American Hockey League farm team in Utica, New York, or be on the Vancouver bench as an assistant coach to Green.
Lowry would not comment specifically about the Canucks situation when contacted Tuesday at his off-season home in Calgary.
“Like I said at the end of the [Royals] season, I am no different than anybody else in this profession [in wanting to move up to higher levels in the coaching ranks]. If something came up, I would look at it,” he said.
“But I have a great situation in Victoria with a great owner [Graham Lee] and outstanding GM [Cameron Hope].”
Lowry has twice been named Western Hockey League coach of the year in his five seasons of guiding the Royals, with whom he has accumulated a 209-124-27 regular-season record. The 19-season former NHL forward has also been an assistant coach and head coach for Canada at the world junior championship.
It is Hope’s job to be ready in case Lowry, who was assistant coach for three seasons in the NHL with the Calgary Flames, moves again to the pros.
“There’s always a lot of chatter,” said Hope.
He said he pays little attention to it. But he also realizes there may come a day when he will need to make a quick turnaround on the bench.
“We have a contingency plan in place if there needs to be a coaching search . . . and a good handle on who’s out there and available. But that’s a normal part of any GM’s job,” said Hope.
Lowry, meanwhile, said he plans on attending the WHL meetings May 3 and being at the Royals table for the bantam draft May 4. The Royals do not have a pick in the first round of the bantam draft, as it was traded to Saskatoon, but will select 10th in the second round.
AROUND THE WHL: The Spokane Chiefs and Everett Silvertips are in search of new head coaches after the Chiefs fired Don Nachbaur and the Silvertips axed Kevin Constantine this month.
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