Former Victoria Royals coach Dave Lowry joins Calgary Flames as assistant coach, bringing decades of NHL and WHL experience back to the bench.
Veteran Coach Joins Calgary Staff
The Calgary Flames announced Thursday that Dave Lowry has been hired as an assistant coach. The 60-year-old brings more than 20 years of experience behind the bench, with a resume spanning junior hockey and multiple NHL teams.
A Familiar Face in Calgary
This marks a return for Lowry, who previously served as an assistant coach with the Flames from 2009 to 2012. He now rejoins the organization under head coach Ryan Huska, alongside assistants Trent Cull, Cail MacLean, Jamie Pringle, and Jason LaBarbera. Lowry takes the place of Brad Larsen, who stepped down for family reasons.
Track Record of Success in Victoria
Lowry is remembered in British Columbia for his five-year run with the WHL’s Victoria Royals from 2012 to 2017. During that span, he guided the team to a 199-112-22 record, two WHL Coach of the Year awards, and a franchise-best 106-point season in 2015–16. His Royals reached the playoffs in every season under his leadership.
NHL Bench Experience
Since leaving Victoria, Lowry has coached with the Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg Jets, and most recently, the Seattle Kraken, where he spent three years on staff. He also served as interim head coach for the Jets during the 2021–22 season. His depth of NHL experience adds further strength to Calgary’s coaching group.
Career as a Player
Before coaching, Lowry played more than 1,000 NHL games with Vancouver, St. Louis, Florida, San Jose, and Calgary, where he wore the captain’s “C” from 2000 to 2002. His playing and coaching background gives him a unique perspective on team leadership and development.
Why This Move Matters
For the Flames, Lowry’s addition strengthens a staff aiming to build on recent progress in a competitive Western Conference. His familiarity with Calgary, both as a former player and coach, offers continuity and stability as the team looks ahead to the 2025–26 season.
Local Connection to Victoria Continues
Lowry’s hiring also adds another Victoria tie to the Flames organization. In June, Calgary drafted Royals forward Cole Reschny in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, further linking the WHL club to the Flames’ future.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
