Miramichi Timberwolves NewsHome
Owen Heads to Acadia
Miramichi Leader
Wed May 26 2010
Byline: Lucas McInnis
From T-Wolf to Axeman.
The face of the Miramichi Timberwolves and the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, Chris Owens, is hoping to continue his still young hockey career this fall when he heads to Wolfville, N.S. to attend Acadia University.
Owens will be studying business at Acadia, one of the country's finest schools and aims to play with the Axemen.
Owens was sought after by several schools looking to put the MJAHL's top defenceman on their teams.
Owens had also spoken with University of Waterloo, Wilfred Laurier University, St. Thomas University, the University of Prince Edward Island and St. Francis Xavier, among other schools, in his pursuit of the best opportunity for himself.
After some consideration, Owens said Acadia seemed like the best choice.
"I visited the school there and I just really liked the environment, the school, the surroundings and stuff. And I met all the guys (on the hockey team) and they all seem great, and I like the coach."
"It was a hard choice" picking which school, he said. "A lot of schools seemed great and they all seemed to have good programs, but I liked this one the best."
And attending Acadia is a great opportunity for 20-year-old Owens.
The school, in 2007, tied Mount Allison University for first place in Maclean Magazine for Best Overall in the Primarily Undergraduate University category in its university rankings.
With just about 3,000 students, Owens said he likes the idea of a small school, which would provide a better chance to get to know professors and students.
"I think it's great. [Those are] the things I looked at. It's a good school, it's a small school, not to mention it's kind of a close school, everyone knows each other," Owens said. "They have a great hockey program, and it just seemed like the right spot. So I think it's a great opportunity to go there, get a good education, and play some high-level hockey."
The small school, he said, where he would be able to meet many more people, would be like Miramichi.
"I loved it [in Miramichi]," he said. "I'll be back for visits for sure."
Owens said he still hopes to play pro hockey in the future, but intends to focus on academics for now and earn a degree.
"Business is really just what interested me the most. Maybe someday I'd like to have my own business or work in marketing. I'm just getting started, I guess, so I'm not really too sure yet. But that seems like a good starting point."
The 2009-10 Miramichi Timberwolves captain led the team and united the city with record after record. In the 2009-10 season he won the scoring race with 92 points, broke the record for most points by a Timberwolf, most points in MJAHL history by a defenceman, and most goals in a single game - 10 against the Campbellton Tigers on Feb. 21.
He was also named a 1st Team All-Star in the latest season on defence.
He gave the team a crucial push in the regular season before the T-Wolves failed to move past the first round of the playoffs at the hands of a Game 7 Summerside Western Capitals win.
Owens played all four years of his MJAHL career with the Timberwolves, never winning the coveted Kent Cup.
The elusive championship could be reached with a team like the Axemen.
The Axemen have won more conference and national championships than any other school in Atlantic University Sport.
And about one-third of the university's varsity athletes achieve Academic All-Canadian designation through Canadian Interuniversity Sport by maintaining an average of 80 per cent or higher.
"That was another big concern of mine. I wish that we had won one with the Timberwolves but I still want to win a championship so I'm after here now."
Owens was sure to thank Miramichi for all its support. From the fans to the billets and the executive, Owens extended his thanks to Miramichi for helping him build as a hockey player.
He made note of T-Wolves head coach and general manager Billy McGuigan, who Owens said helped turn him "into a better player and a person."
"I made a lot of great friends," he said. "It was like a second home."
Chris Owens stats
Season Team Games Goals Assists Points
2009-2010MT 49 23 69 92
2008-2009MT 54 19 58 77
2007-2008MT 57 8 45 53
2006-2007MT 53 10 26 36