Tradition plays a large role in the Victoria Shamrocks organization, which proudly declares its motto: We Bleed Green.
Kory Kowalyk鈥檚 verde veins carry the blood of three generations. His grandfather Norm played for the Shamrocks, ultimately took on the role of president of the club and entered the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a builder in 1979. Uncles Ross and Ed Kowalyk also wore the green and white of the Shamrocks back in the day.
So when it came down to selecting team captains at the start of this Western Lacrosse Association season, there was no hesitation for head coach Bob Heyes, who strapped an 鈥淎鈥� for 鈥渁ssistant鈥� on Kory Kowalyk鈥檚 hulking chest.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a huge link to this club over the last 60 years. From that aspect, it鈥檚 neat to have that link,鈥� Heyes said proudly of the 25-year-old who has played both offence and defence for the Shamrocks the last three years.
鈥淗e鈥檚 also a big moose of a guy. Last year, we were shorthanded in the playoffs so we put him on the back end, and it was like, 鈥榃ow, this guy can play defence.鈥� That鈥檚 where we pencilled him in this year, and he had done great,鈥� Heyes said.
鈥淏ut with our offence, sometimes we need a hard worker out there, and often Kory鈥檚 the guy creating a lot of space. That鈥檚 where he鈥檚 worked his Senior A career, working with guys like Rhys Duch and Scott Ranger, opening that space.鈥�
And the family character has carried through to the popular Shamrock.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been unselfish about everything. He鈥檚 doing whatever he needs to do to fit in, and that鈥檚 what we need from everyone,鈥� said Heyes, whose team will attempt to pull its road record (2-3) to even tonight in Nanaimo against the Timbermen. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a lightning rod for everyone else.鈥�
Kowalyk learned that character early, on family outings to watch his treasured Shamrocks on the hallowed floor at the old Memorial Arena.
鈥淵eah, there is a bit of tradition there 鈥� bleed green, bud,鈥� he said, winking an eye. 鈥淕rowing up all the time, with my dad, we went as a family to the old Memorial Arena. It was pretty historic.
鈥淚 loved watching the games and always dreamed of playing for the Shamrocks, and now, I am,鈥� he said proudly.
In his fourth year, Kory also had brother Sam at training camp the last two years, but a knee injury has hampered his ability to stick on. Kory also played two years with the Junior Shamrocks, making it to the Minto Cup final, only to lose to Orangeville.
Now he鈥檚 doing his part in helping the Shamrocks (7-3) try to achieve a WLA title.
鈥淗e鈥檚 doing what鈥檚 asked of him, no questions,鈥� Heyes said of his rugged all-purpose player. 鈥淎nd, for the next few years, he will continue to be a pillar for the club.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to hear those words,鈥� Kowalyk said. 鈥淚 try to do whatever is required. I haven鈥檛 been scoring much [three assists in nine games], but that鈥檚 not my duty, so I鈥檓 not too worried about that at all. I鈥檓 just trying to go out and help the team as much as I can.鈥�
And it鈥檚 not going unnoticed.
CLOVER POINTS: Rhys Duch will return to the Shamrocks for a few games, but the team is expected to be without Scott Ranger, who is out due to injury. Goalie Matt Vinc is also not here, so Matt Flindell draws back in. . . . To get down to their proper numbers for the July 1 deadline, the Shamrocks have released Mike Pires and third goalie Josh Phillips. . . . The team is back in Victoria on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. against Burnaby.
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