It was no surprise when Drew Owsley skated out to accept the Prince George Cougars' MVP award for the 2011-2012 season before Saturday's final Western Hockey League game against the Kamloops Blazers.
The 21-year-old goaltender kept the Cougars in many games this season, recording a career-high 1,810 saves.
"It was a little frustrating, but, personally I was happy with how I played and battled and proud of how I stuck with it," said Owsley, who had 22 of the team's 24 wins. "Obviously not getting that team success it's tough and it was kind of a long year, but I think the future is bright here for the Cougars."
Before joining the Cougars in a trade last summer Owsley spent three years with the Tri City Americans where the main battle was challenging the U.S. Division teams for top spot rather than fighting for a playoff spot.
In four WHL seasons, Owsley posted a 98-71-2-3 regular-season record (38 of the losses with the Cougars) in 186 games or 10,231 minutes played. He had 4,845 saves for a .908 save percentage and a 2.89 goals against average. Owsley had three shutouts for the Cougars which brought his total to 12 in his career.
Owsley manned the net for the Americans twice in the post season - backing up Chet Pickard in the 2009 playoffs - playing in 29 games with 18 wins, seven losses (four in overtime) and three shutouts. In the playoffs, Owsley had a .920 save percentage and a 2.49 goals against average.
The 5-4 win the Cats achieved last Tuesday in Tri City was a highlight for the Lethbridge, Alta., native.
"That one felt good," said Owsley about beating the Western Conference's top team. "To go in there and beat the team that shipped you off is nice."
He admitted it's hard to look at the league standings and see the Americans (50-18-2-2) at the top, but dwelling on it wouldn't have been good.
"You look and you kind of wonder, 'What if?' but if you focus on that things could've gone downhill here," he said.
Turning Maverick
With is junior career done Owsley said he has an opportunity to continue his season with the Missouri Mavericks (35-20-6) of the Central Hockey League to try and help them earn a playoff spot.
"We'll see how that goes," said Owsley. "I might decide to go to school next year but I haven't decided where."
He's also cheering for his 18-year-old brother Mitch, who leads his Alberta Junior Hockey League Olds Grizzlies (22-33-0-5) team with 12 points after two playoff rounds and is preparing for the South Division final against the Brooks Bandits (47-7-0-6) in a best-of-seven series starting Friday.
"It's cool," said the Cats' goaltender. "He deserves it; he's worked for everything he's got."
Other Cougars' award winners were: Alex Forsberg, top rookie, with 15 goals and 39 points in 51 games; Dan Gibb, most dedicated; Michael Mylchrest, scholastic award; and Jarrett Fontaine, Dickies hardest worker.
