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Player Profile – Cade Owad While his teammates were on the ice at training camp, Cade Owad was in the stands. Up and down, up and down; he ran up and down each set of stairs building his strength. A few games into the season, he was back on the ice and ready to take on the best of the AJHL. “It’s exciting,” he said at the time. “Not playing in the pre-season had me worried. There are no guaranteed, you could lose your spot. I’m really excited to jump in and show what I can do.” He had been out since the spring because of a nagging shoulder injury that eventually required surgery. After months of preparation, he returned stronger than ever. Born and raised in Calgary, Owad played hockey in Blackfoot before moving to the Northstars AAA. He was drafted to Spokane of the WHL but never played a game. “We just didn’t see a fit, so Coach Barrett offered me a chance (with the Canucks).” Last year, the injury depleted lineup gave the rookie plenty of opportunities to play before he had his own off-season surgery. “It was a learning experience. It was a test mentally and physically. I got to play so much as a rookie; it wasn’t just the vets pulling their weight but the rookies too.” This year, he’s practically a veteran even though he’s only 18. While sitting out during the first game of the year in Olds, Owad was telling the rookies about some of the finer points of their new league. “They are playing more games, against older guys. They’re getting a feel for the league, getting used to more travel and a good experience.” As a captain on many of his teams growing up, the role of mentor is helped by backing it up on the ice where he is one of the hardest working players on the Canucks. He hopes that work will lead to results on his long list of goals for the year. “I want to put up good numbers, be a leader on and off, start getting recognitions from schools to make up for last year and doing everything I can to help the team win.” And though the wins haven’t come often yet, Owad keeps on working. “We can go as far as we want to go. We have the skill for a playoff spot.” Likewise, his skill and effort will bring him as far as he wants to go. |