As a player, either in junior or during his 19 pro seasons in the NHL, Dave Lowry never got the call to wear the national team jersey of Canada.
“Not good enough,” he said, in his deadpan style.
But he has received the call to coach a national team. The Victoria Royals bench boss will jump from the club level to international in being named to the coaching staff that will try to stem a five-year drought for Canada at the 2015 world junior hockey championship.
Benoit Groulx of the Gatineau Olympiques from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will be head coach for Canada. He will be assisted by Lowry from the Western Hockey League’s Royals and Scott Walker from the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League.
The 2015 worlds are to be hosted by Montreal and Toronto from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. Canada has not won the world tournament since 2009. Lowry addressed the pressure that will greet the host side.
“We as a coaching staff have to sell that message to the players that they must be prepared to focus on the job on the ice, and not the distractions that surround playing in a world championships at home,” said Lowry, by phone after the Hockey Canada announcement.
Lowry was named 2013-14 WHL coach of the year for guiding the Royals to the most wins (48) and points (100) in franchise history. He is 82-50-10 in his two seasons behind the Royals bench.
“This is a direct reflection of the season we had,” said Lowry.
“I’m really excited. This is something I’ve always wanted to be a part of … to represent our country.”
Canada opens group play Dec. 26 against Slovakia. Other Canadian group games will be against Germany, Finland and the United States. The knockout stage starts Jan. 2 through to the gold medal final Jan. 5.
The Canadian development camp begins Aug. 9 in Montreal for one week.
“This is well deserved for Dave,” said Royals GM Cam Hope.
“[Lowry] is a thorough professional who knows how to get the best out of players of this age group.”
The Victoria assistant coaching staff will guide the Royals while Lowry is away with the national junior team.
“It’s only short term, and we have an experienced coaching staff,” said Hope.
