Winnipeg Jets tag Adam Lowry as team’s next captain

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After going one underwhelming season without a captain, the Winnipeg Jets have tapped nine-year NHL veteran Adam Lowry for the honour.

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The 30-year-old centre was drafted by the Jets in the third round of the 2011 draft and has spent his entire career in Winnipeg.

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Respected for his solid two-way play and willingness to stick up for teammates while playing a third-line, checking role, Lowry was one of the associate captains last season, along with defenceman Josh Morrissey and centre Mark Scheifele.

Born in St. Louis, Lowry has recorded at least 10 goals in six of his nine seasons, including the past three.

He’s coming off a career-high 36-point season (13 goals, 23 assists), in which he led the Jets with four goals in their first-round playoff series loss against Vegas.

He succeeds Blake Wheeler, whom head coach Rick Bowness stripped of the captain’s duties going into last season, preferring to spread out the leadership duties.

The Jets bought out Wheeler’s contract and he has since signed with the New York Rangers.

Lowry, Bowness and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will hold a news conference at the downtown arena late Tuesday morning.

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