Excel Painting Alumni Spotlight: Drew Owsley
*Cougars broadcaster Dan O’Connor spoke with former Cougars goaltender Drew Owsley on Friday, May 13th. Here are some excerpts from that conversation.
EXCEL PAINTING ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Drew Owsley
– Played in Prince George for one season: 2011-2012
– Was the MVP of the 2011-12 season for the Cougars
– Played four years of CIS with the St. Francis Xavier X-Men.
– Has recently graduated from St. FX with an accouting degree.
DOC: You play three full seasons with the Tri-City Americans, and you’re getting ready for your 20-year-old season, and the phone rings. You’re told that you’re leaving the only WHL team and city that you’ve ever known and that you’re coming to Prince George. Tell me about that conversation and your reaction?
DOW: It wasn’t too much of a surprise just knowing that the Americans had Eric Comrie coming in. I knew that something was maybe going to happen, but it wasn’t a bad call. I had a few guys that I knew in Prince George and I was excited to try something new. I was excited to be apart of the Cougars organization and reunite with a couple of old friends and overall it was an exciting time.
DOC: What were your first impressions and some of the memories that you took away from your season as a Cougar.
DOW: My first start was pretty big (a 1-0 shutout win in Kamloops). I remember how excited the boys were. The Cougars as an organization treated me with the utmost respect. It was a little different for me going from an older team to a younger team, but i took a lot of things away from that year, and that city, plus I had the best billets. Prince George was awesome.
DOC: Another moment that sticks out for me was your return to the Tri-Cities. I remember the signs, and the fans applauding you so loudly. Ultimately you avenged a Tuesday loss with a huge OT win on Wednesday to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive. Do you have a moment that you could say ‘yup’ that was it. That was my highlight?
DOW: That win in Tri was pretty special. I just remember the boys battling so hard for me. Late in the season we were making our push to the playoffs, and we came one win short ultimately of the playoffs, but I remember that run and everybody buying in. I don’t think anybody thought we could do it, but we made a really good push at the end there.
DOC: You were a teammate with 16-year-old rookie Chase Witala. You saw him at 16, he shot on you. Did you see at that time that he’d be the type of guy who would go on to become the team’s all-time leading scorer?
DOW: Absolutely yes. He’s one of the most skilled young players I ever played with. I followed the Cougars a lot this year and have followed the league, and he’s just ripped it up over the last few years. He’s an unbelievable player and I really hope he gets his chance at the next level.
You can listen to the entire interview with Drew Owsley below:
