I like to think of myself as a leader, I wore the‘ C’ when I was in Portage, but obviously the Blues had already picked their captains and assistants this year, but that doesn’ t mean that I can’ t lead without a letter
MANITOBA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
I like to think of myself as a leader, I wore the‘ C’ when I was in Portage, but obviously the Blues had already picked their captains and assistants this year, but that doesn’ t mean that I can’ t lead without a letter
worked out right now. I am enjoying the Blues. Billy is a great coach, and I think we have a team that could possibly go all the way.” For a player in his final season of junior – a team captain nonetheless – to be traded midway through the year, can be extremely difficult. It isn’ t any easier going to a team filled with many unfamiliar faces. But Wowryk has embraced the change and new scenery exceptionally well. He has already enjoyed parts of three months with the Blues and hopes that he can deliver success to the team that is a touch closer to home.“ I want to win a championship going out in my 20-year-old season,” Wowryk said.“ The guys here are great. They welcomed me with open arms, and I couldn’ t ask for anything more. We might not have the league’ s most offensively skilled guys, but all of us work hard and block shots. I think the fact that all of us will do anything to help the team win, is what will get it done for us in the long run.” Blues coach Billy Keane loves having Wowryk in the room.“ I told him I wanted to get him a long time ago,” said Keane enthusiastically.“ He’ s a great kid with plenty of skill and a great work ethic. I’ m really glad we could acquire him.” Although he’ s now the new kid on the block, Wowryk will be called upon to serve as a leader, both in the dressing room and on the ice. After all, it’ s his fourth in the MJHL, and Wowryk has been around long enough to know how a senior player should behave.“ I learned so much from the Bowles twins about leadership,” he said.“ They were pretty much the core of the Terriers team that won it all last year.“ Leading by example is something I learned from Brett Orr, who is playing at Bentley University this year. Then we had Dean Stewart, who was drafted by Arizona, but will be playing at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He was a young guy but really stepped up big when we needed him. And right now I have Geordie Keane who is a tremendous leader and a guy I have known since I was eight, so it’ s good to be around those kind of guys.” Because of the traded, Wowryk, lost the‘ C’ on his jersey, but for the grizzled MJHL veteran, it’ s more about how he plays on the ice, and how he helps out in the dressing room than the presence of a letter on his jersey.“ I like to think of myself as a leader,” he said.“ I wore the‘ C’ when I was in Portage, but obviously the Blues had already picked their captains and assistants this year, but that doesn’ t mean that I can’ t lead without a letter, so that’ s what I’ ve been doing and will continue to do the rest of this season.” According to Wowryk, the Blues have“ loads of potential.” While the team’ s record might not be indicative of a No. 1 team at this given moment, he believes that the Blues do have what it takes to go a long way in the playoffs this season.“ I don’ t think that where we are in the standings reflects on how good a team we are now,” he said.“ We’ ve kind of given away a few points here and there. Personally, I think we should probably be Top 4, at least, right now. But because of some of those lost points, this is where we stand right now. I know that we can beat anyone at any time. That’ s why I think we will be up there by the end of the season.” Bold words from a proven player tend to carry a lot of weight. Four seasons and three teams later, the dream is still alive. Proven veteran experience goes hand-in-hand with class, and Adam Wowryk is as classy as they come.“ I have no hard feelings towards Portage,” he said.“ I’ m obviously going to miss the memories, like winning a championship there. The town was great and the organization was unbelievable, but I’ m going to continue to make more memories with the Blues and hopefully win a championship here.” n
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