It’s go time in Abbotsford for Jermaine Loewen.
The 26-year-old from Arborg recently finished his first season with the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks where had two assists in 26 games.
Now, ahead of his second season with the club, Loewen is doing everything he can to jump into a full-time lineup spot.
“It’s been great; I’ve made a lot of jumps physically and mentally. It’s been a good summer,” said Loewen last Monday in Abbotsford, where he is spending the entire off-season on training.
He and his wife recently had their first child during the 2023-24 season so staying in Abbotsford during this off-season was a priority to help them settle into their new home.
This hockey season, Loewen enters his sixth year playing in the AHL after spending his first five seasons with the Chicago Wolves, Henderson Silver Knights, and the Canucks.
Since his AHL career began back in 2019-20, Loewen has been known as a player who isn’t afraid to mix it up physically.
In 174 career games, Loewen has posted 306 penalty minutes while not steering shy of dropping the gloves when needed.
He wants to do more in 2024-25 to find the back of the net, which he did well in junior with the Kamloops Blazers and in his minor hockey days with the AAA Interlake Lightning.
His best offensive season in the AHL came in 2021-22 with Henderson when he had six goals and eight assists in 44 games.
Going goalless last season was the first time he’d done so since his sophomore season when he played only 22 games.
Now having settled into his new home in Abbotsford, and fatherhood, he feels he’s ready to take the next step with the Canucks.
“I feel really good,” said Loewen. “I feel I’m making a lot of strides. There’s a different energy heading into this season than last year it felt like a bit of a low time for me. This time there is an excitement of what can come this year for me if I keep focused on the goal.”
This off-season, Loewen can be found in the gym every day, working on his lower body to help him improve his speed and acceleration. He often trains alongside teammates John Stevens and Tristen Nielsen who were key contributors to the Canucks offence last year.
This is also a contract year for Loewen as his two-year deal with the Canucks is set to expire at the end of the season.
He said it’s not something he worries about as his focus is strictly on improving his game and helping the Canucks achieve their goals after finishing fifth in the AHL’s Pacific Division last season.
“I hope I can build off of this summer and see where it takes me,” said Loewen. “Being close to home has some advantages, and it’s been great for my family, and being a dad, it’s nice to be close to home to get the help and support needed.”
As the former 199th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and the first-ever Jamaican-born draft pick, the NHL dream isn’t out of the realm of possibility for Loewen yet.
Though he has yet to play a game in the NHL, a breakout season for the Canucks could possibly see him get back on the radar of NHL clubs once again.
Training camp for the 2024-25 begins in late September, where Loewen will look to showcase the work he’s put in throughout the off-season.
