Ryan Lowe is the latest goaltender to get called up from obscurity when the San Jose Shark’s needed a back-up on November 26th following injuries in practice to both Alex Stalock and Troy Grosenick that left Antti Niemi without a back up against the Calgary Flames. Lowe, a former AIHL import who played 51-games with the Canberra Knights and Sydney Bears was in the right place at the right time.

Speaking to the media post-game, Lowe described it as one of the most exciting days beginning with a morning phone call from former NHL goaltender Wayne Thomas, the Sharks VP and assistant General Manager. Lowe was over 600km away when he received the call and drove in Thanksgiving freeway traffic to make it to the rink before game time.

“I was in Huntington Beach, got here and wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Lowe said. “I had a bunch of friends from San Jose (all lifelong Sharks fans) make it to the game. Post-game they all demanded I join them at the local bar to celebrate and tell them all about it. It was really humbling seeing so many people come out to support a backup goalie and it made even more special to see how excited they were too.”

NHL CBA rules state two goaltenders must be dressed per team with an emergency goaltender allowed following a last minute injury when the team is unable to recall one. The San Jose Sharks official practice facility is located at the rink home to the organization Lowe was signed in May as goaltending coach for, the San Jose Jr Sharks. It was experience however skating with the team during captain’s skates in the summer that gave him the once in a lifetime opportunity.

“The captain skates are why he gave me the shot,” the Californian native said. “I've skated with the guys in the summers for a few years over my time in San Jose and had the chance to meet and talk with Wayne a few times over that span. This year I was out there for three weeks in August and September and actually tore my groin on the last day they needed me. I saw Wayne briefly as I was hobbling off the ice and when he called me to see if I was available he asked about my health first and if I was good to go.”

Lowe had nothing but high praise for his experiences with the team and described their skill level as so high, he would have to just hope he put himself in a good position to make a save and play the odds. His strong familiarity with their shots brought a surprising answer for most difficult to defend against: Sharks defensemen (and occasional forward) Brent Burns.

“Being a D-man you expect him to have a cannon of a shot,” Lowe said. “And he does but he also has so many moves and ways to beat you that sometimes you just laugh as you dig the puck out of the back of the net.”

Lowe is no greenhorn in net, with numerous accolades including two-time MVP for the San Jose State University Spartans with three national tournament appearances earning All-West Region team honors each time including All-American first team in 2006.

The former Spartan chased the hockey dream following university, and dressed for 20 ECHL games. Emergency goalies rarely see ice time, yet Lowe enjoyed his view from the bench and described it as an awesome opportunity.

“I'd fly or drive anywhere for a chance, even to sit on a bench,” Lowe said. “The farthest was traveling from Pennsylvania in the East where I was playing in a single A league at the time, out to Fresno, California to dress for the Victoria Salmon Kings in the ECHL for three games. But, as a goalie you don't approach it as an 'emergency' situation, you do everything you usually would to make sure you are ready to go if the team needs you.”

Lowe is openly honest when he describes the best advice he ever received from an ECHL coach after being cut from training camp: Go wherever you can start. Always.

“That applies to all levels,” the goaltender clarified. “If it comes down to backing up in a higher level or starting every game the next division down, do the latter, get the experience. You can't ever practice enough for game experience.

This willingness to travel for a shot to play led Lowe to his last professional playing experience prior to Wednesday: in the AIHL for the Sydney Bears in 2013 as well as the now defunct Canberra Knights.

“I knew Australia had a league and I had heard the level of competition was decent,” Lowe said. “Between imports and the top Australian players you get a really high and underrated level of play. It's full check, there are great fans, and it's awesome to see how the league keeps improving and more and more people around the world are finding out about hockey in Australia.”

As starting goaltender for the Knights, Lowe was awarded team MVP in 2009 and Most Inspirational in 2010. CBR Brave captain and former Knight Mark Rummukainen described him as an ultra competitive guy that pushed everyone to compete.  

“He came to the rink be it for practice or on game day and wanted to win, to compete in every aspect of his game,” Rummukainen said. “He didn't take losing lightly and I think that shone through in his everyday character along with his attitude towards hockey.”

Lowe described himself as a goaltender that enjoyed a bit more work during the game to remain focused. During his time in Canberra he led goaltenders in shots faced averaging over ten more per game while keeping a respectable save percentage for a non-competitive team.

“As a goalie you need to believe you have a shot to win every game,” the net minder said. “I mean, the puck has to get past you at least once for you to lose a game. So even though we had a bit of a rough go in 2009 and 2010 in Canberra, we went into every game believing we could win. My job was to just be ready for and stop the next puck and not think of much else.”

A noticeable statistic was Lowe’s PIM, a rarity for goaltenders in the AIHL. Leading the league with 22 PIM in 2009 and 52 PIM in 2010, he wasn’t afraid to square off with someone.

“Ryan is a confident goaltender, meaning that he will take his game to you,” Rummukainen said. “He'll push the opposition to make big plays to beat him and he also doesn't mind talking it up. I think this coupled with some of the frustration may have led to a few of his penalty minutes.”

The CBR Brave captain named Lowe as a key part of any success Canberra enjoyed during his tenure in net.

“I think Ryan along with the rest of us could see the potential of a good team was there,” the Rummukainen said. “However we weren't consistent enough to win games regularly or when we really needed to.”

CBR Brave surprised the AIHL with their strong season followed by first playoff experience and Lowe followed his former team from the States with excitement.

“I'm close with many of the players and coaches and those guys deserve to get a crack at the Goodall Cup for all the years and work they've put into building the sport in the ACT,” Lowe said. “Canberra has what I believe to be the most passionate fans in the AIHL that even during our struggles as the Knights they packed the house for every home game and made the Philip Ice Center a menacing place to play for any opponent who made the trip. If the Brave can get a new rink built, I think hockey will explode in the capital.”

With Alex Stalock coming back into the Sharks lineup to backup Niemi, Lowe’s foray in the NHL may be over - at least for now - but we’re sure he’ll always remember being called up to the big time and watching the game from the best seat in the house.