Report: Dave Lowry emerges as Sharks' coaching candidate

An off-the-radar name is emerging as a candidate for the head coaching job in San Jose.

While the likes of Dan Bylsma, Randy Carlyle, Peter DeBoer, and Adam Oates have been reported to be in the mix for the position vacated by Todd McLellan, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports the Sharks may look to a former player to fill the role of head coach.

Pollak writes:

And if you want a slightly under-the-radar candidate to keep an eye on, consider Dave Lowry, who’s 19-year NHL career included 143 games with San Jose between 1997 and 2000.

Lowry currently coaches the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League where he has been successful enough that Team Canada named him bench boss for the 2016 World Junior Championship. A couple sources who follow the WHL closely say the choice was a smart one.

Lowry's name has also been floated as a candidate by Darren Dreger of TSN.

The 50-year-old served as an assistant to Brent Sutter with the Calgary Flames before assuming a head coaching job with the Royals.

Lowry was named WHL coach of the year in 2013-14 when Victoria finished with a 48-20-4 record. He was also an assistant with Team Canada when it won the gold in the 2015 World Junior Championship.