Former NHL player and Calgary Flames assistant coach Dave Lowry has been named the new head coach of the Victoria Royals, the team announced on July 19.
“We are very excited to have Dave join our team,” Royals owner Graham Lee said in a press release. “Our goal for the Royals organization is to create an environment for players to succeed. Dave brings experience and a winning track record at the WHL level that will help us achieve our goal.”
Lowry, replacing outgoing coach and general manager Marc Habscheid, spent the last three seasons with the Calgary Flames. He also coached the Western Hockey League Calgary Hitmen during the 2008-09 season, leading the team to an amazing 59-9-3-1 record.
“There were many accomplished and qualified candidates for this position,” Royals’ new general manager Cam Hope said in a press release, “but Dave was our clear choice after our first meeting. His experience coupled with our similar philosophies on both the management and structure of a hockey team secured my decision he was the right person for the position.”
Previous to his coaching days, Lowry was an National Hockey League player for 19 years, after being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 1983. He went on to play for four other pro teams (St. Louis, Florida, San Jose, and Calgary), skating over 1,000 games and recording 351 points.
The Royals will start their regular season with their new bench boss on September 22 versus the Vancouver Giants.