On Gibb
As the Prince George Cougars struggle to earn a playoff position the injury bug has bit the WHL team hard. The latest player in the infirmary is defenceman Dan Gibb, who suffered what the Cougars' are calling an upper-body injury during last Friday's game against the Everett Silvertips.
Drew Owsley said the team has missed Gibb's steady presence on the blueline the past three games.
"We've got some guys like [Cody] Carlson and Ricard Blidstrand that like to lug the puck," said Owsley.
"With Gibb, he stays back and he knows his role and does his job. It's tough when you're so young and you've got call-ups. Our depth just isn't what it should be."
On being a mentor
When Owsley broke into the WHL with the Tri-City Americans he played with Nashville Predators' draft pick Chet Pickard - who himself learned the ropes from Montreal Canadiens' goalie Carey Price - but now he finds himself teaching his 17-year-old backup Devon Fordyce.
"You look back and see what Chet did and try to use those past experiences to help Devon out," said Owsley.
"It's obviously cool when a guy like that kind of looks up to you. You just want to show him the right habits in practice and what it takes to be a starting goalie."
On his younger brother
The 20 year old has a younger brother, Mitch, playing in the Alberta Junior Hockey League this season as an 18-year-old rookie.
After playing 40 games with the last-place Drumheller Dragons Mitch was traded to the Olds Grizzlies in January where he's played in eight games. The forward had 14 goals and 28 points up to Thursday.
"We're best friends," said Owsley. "We talk to each other a lot. He gives me advice and sometimes I give him some advice. It's nice in the summer because we have a little bit of competition on the ice. He likes to try and score on me."
-- Lamb, Citizen staff
