Owen Barrow is pretty clear with what he intends to give the Kamloops Storm.
“I’m just a big body (six-feet, 195 pounds) that is going to hit and drive the net,” says the Kamloops product. “Hopefully get some goals. I want to lead a little bit as a younger guy. I just want to show how hard I can work.”
Barrow says his strengths are his physicality and speed.
“Once I get going I can really move. I think I have a pretty good shot,” he says. “I’d say it’s (KIJHL) is more physical than the CSSHL. I really like it. A lot of hitting.”
In two games, the Yale Hockey Academy graduate has a goal. He’s been working to keep the pace up and focus on the little details of his game. He credits his time in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League for helping him transition. He says the CSSHL has a very high level and that has helped.
“I think I was playing pretty good. A little rocky at the start of the exhibition to get a feel of things,” he explains. “In the first two regular season games, I think we were playing pretty good.”
Barrow, who moved to Kamloops from Fort St. John when he was in the fifth grade, says he likes how Storm general manager Matt Kolle and head coach Steve Gainey run the program.
“Steve is a great coach. He always tries to focus on the little details in practice,” adds Barrow. “Everyone knows we have a pretty good team this year. Everyone is putting in the work to win the championship.
“We have a lot of skilled guys. I think we have a really good chance of making it somewhere,” continued Barrow, who added that with the current pandemic, he felt it was best for him to play at home.
It’s been great for him starting his junior career at home, but says it would be better if they could have fans. Along with improving small details in his skills, Barrow is motivated to get better at everything so he can make the step to the BCHL next season. He was an affiliate player with the Merritt Centennials last season and this season he was with the Surrey Eagles for the start of their camp.
That experience was very good being surrounded by skilled players and to see how fast paced it was. It gives him an idea of how much he needs to improve.
