"Number one, when I came to Winnipeg [as an assistant coach for 2020-21 season] there was an adjustment, a period of time you are coaching with your son. "You have to make sure everyone understands the professional level. I think the biggest compliment we got from a lot of the players was they didn't even know I had a kid on the team."
It became harder when he was named interim head coach, said Lowry. He explained Adam couldn't fully embrace his role of natural vocal leader developed over nine seasons in Winnipeg. He was named an alternate captain this October.
"You know that doesn't happen if I'm still there," said Lowry. "[Adam] is a leader. Everyone knows that ... Realistically he lost his voice last year in the room. And that's something that I didn't think moving forward was going to be positive, if if I did go back [the Jets named ex-Dallas Rick Bowness to head job]."
While the coach-player/father-son dynamic might have been stressful for both men at times, Dad joked "I guess he didn't hate me" because the two played golf quite a bit this past summer.
One prominent thread during the conversation with Lowry: He talked more than once about "being grateful" about the chance to stay in the game he loves, his wife Elaine's willingness to accept hyper-busy winters and frequent road trips, the chance he had to coach an NHL team with his son a major contributor on the ice. He added he has no hard feelings about not getting the permanent Jets top job and wishes the Central Division team well ("I mean I have a kid on the team.").
Lowry, 57, said he called Hakstol "out of the blue" late summer after doing some thinking that he didn't think his hockey career was finished after playing 1,195 NHL games himself and coaching at various stops since 2005. The first conversation beget more talks and Hakstol offered a role that now includes penalty-kill duties and joining fellow assistants Paul McFarland and Jay Leach behind the bench.
"He has a good, sharp hockey mind," said Hakstol. "He's always clear and calm in every situation. He's been a great addition to your staff. He's fit in very, very well with our group. His presence and knowledge has been has been really good for our staff."
Keen observers will see a seasoned assistant coach who might be talking to penalty killers for a few minutes of practice, then standing with Hakstol at center ice in regular conversations. Lowry is unafraid to cheer loudly and/or rap his stick on the ice when a Kraken player scores in practice or makes a great defensive move. He always stays out longer than most players to work with the team members who will be healthy scratches come the next game plus any player looking for extra work, racking up impromptu 1-on-1 conversations.
"There's certain things that you see that you're trying to help them help [players]," said Lowry, clearly doing that exact thing with Karson Kuhlman [back in the lineup Sunday} after a penalty kill drill. "Sometimes you're just joking around. We all know the pressures that come with the day-to-day within the sport. I try to keep it loose and [and get players to] understand when you're working, you can still enjoy what you're doing."
Lowry's verve is evident on the ice, during road trips and likely anywhere the players and coaches interact, including the video theater. While both animated and purposeful, Lowry additionally offers what is hard to ignore: 1,195 NHL games played across 19 regular seasons and multiple playoff years for five teams. Every NHLer respects such longevity.
Lowry deflects a question about the mentorship he can provide to his fellow assistants or the independent voice he provides to Hakstol.
"I think the big thing for me is opportunity to come in and learn from different people," said Lowry. "I'm extremely fortunate to be working with 'Leachie' and "Farly." They're young coaches [with new approaches to ] and Hak's been around a long time [with his own system]. "It's a learning opportunity to come in and to work with these guys every day."
