Published: July 27, 2008 12:05 am         

MIKE MASTOVICH | Hockey, hits fun for Rowe

After watching Randy Rowe play for the Johnstown Chiefs the past three ECHL seasons, I’ve become accustomed to seeing No. 18:

n Skate hard, regardless of the score.

n Deliver or take hit after hit – including some cheap shots against him that resulted in injuries.

n Lead by example, a trait truly appreciated by Johnstown fans who live for blue-collar hockey.

That high-octane, no-quit approach might seem the opposite of the philosophy Rowe will bring to the Group Ice Skills Development Hockey Camp this week at Planet Ice in Richland Township.

Rowe will be among a group of players and coaches with ties to the Chiefs participating in the youth camp.

“My goal, the way that I’ve been brought up, is to always make hockey fun. If it’s not fun, you shouldn’t be doing it,” Rowe said Saturday afternoon. “If I’m not having fun, I’m not playing at my best. You have to sit back and relax and know what you’re doing on the ice.”

Rowe has done plenty for the Chiefs. In 137 games during the past three regular seasons, the Burford, Ontario, native has 68 goals and 149 points.

Apparently, The Captain is having fun. He just looks intense – sometimes fiery – while doing it.

At the camp Rowe will join former Chiefs Dmitri Tarabrin and Joe Tallari, both fan favorites during their time here. Former Chiefs coach Frank Anzalone and his son, Francis, also are instrumental in the youth camp, which begins Monday and runs through Aug. 1.

“I’m happy with the way that Francis Anzalone and those guys are running it,” Rowe said.

Rowe hinted that he intends to return to the Chiefs. He suffered an upper body injury in Game 1 of the North Division semifinals at Cincinnati. A Cyclones player hit Rowe from behind in the third period of a Chiefs loss. He sat out Game 2, but in typical Rowe fashion, he returned to the lineup for Game 3 in Johnstown.

“I got very lucky in a way. My surgery is eventually going to have to happen, but it’s going to be at my choice depending on how much pain tolerance I can handle,” Rowe said. “I’m feeling good right now. My goal is to wait another season and then have the surgery done.”

Rowe, 28, has played seven ECHL seasons, including four with the former Peoria Rivermen. He has closely monitored this offseason in which Chiefs majority owner Neil Smith has sought parties interested in either investing in or purchasing the team.

Last week Smith announced that Roustan United Arena Solutions Team will manage the Chiefs’ business operations this year and potentially might buy the team. Roustan also maintains Planet Ice and has an office in the facility.

“My aspect on it is that it’s going to help me to make my decision whether I’m going to come back or not,” Rowe said. “It gives me some stability and confidence to come back and play here. I hear nothing but good things about this guy (Graeme Roustan) that just bought into the organization.”



Mike Mastovich is a sports writer for The Tribune-Democrat.

     

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