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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