Loewen overcomes obstacle course
First jamaican drafted into nhl had tough road before hockey
Jermaine Loewen’s story isn’t over, but that doesn’t stop him from occasionally reflecting on everything he has gone through: parental abandonment, adoption, a new country, a late start in hockey and making history.
‘‘All the obstacles and the adversity I’ve been through, and I just was able to keep fighting through that and persevere,’’ said Loewen, a 21-year-old forward who played five games with the Wolves before being sent to the ECHL. ‘‘I’m here today because of a lot of help from people and my perseverance as a player and a person.’’
Born in Mandeville, Jamaica, Loewen was given up by his birth parents when he was a year old. When he was 3 and living in a children’s home in May Pen, Jamaica, his picture was spotted in a sponsorship brochure by Stan and Tara Loewen, who were about to go to Jamaica for three weeks of volunteer work.
The Loewens met Jermaine in Jamaica and, 21 months later, adopted him and took him home to Arborg, Manitoba. A year later, Loewen received his first pair of skates for Christmas. He began playing organized hockey five years later.
Loewen took to the sport, caught the eye of the junior Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers and became the first player born in Jamaica to be taken in the NHL Draft when the Stars selected him in the seventh round in 2018. But he didn’t sign after his final junior season and was picked up by the Golden Knights, who have him in their organization.
Regardless of whether Loewen makes the NHL, his story is an example of perseverance.
‘‘The one thing I want to say is, we’ve all got stories and things that we go through, but always look and be positive in life,’’ Loewen said. ‘‘I hope my story impacts people. Everybody’s got something to give on this earth. Something I really want people to understand who are going through struggles is that there’s hope, and if you keep believing and you keep on that path, good things come to people who work hard.’’
Stan Loewen has noticed that perseverance in his son.
‘‘He’s an incredibly persevering person,’’ Stan said. ‘‘Just because something is hard or difficult or challenging doesn’t mean we don’t do it. Whether that’s been in school, academics, challenges in his young childhood, just a real spirit, a real character of perseverance.
‘‘I think ‘perseverance’ is the word that describes him incredibly well. I don’t know if there’s a word that would describe him better than that.’’
The pride Stan has in his son comes through clearly. He discussed Jermaine’s humility and how he takes nothing for granted. Jermaine works hard and relishes being an underdog.
Stan, too, sees value in Jermaine’s story.
He thinks it teaches the importance of selfbelief, surrounding yourself with good people and not quitting.
‘‘It’s not just proud of the hockey player that he is,’’ Stan said. ‘‘I’m the most proud of the human that he is . . . . He is a person that in his heart loves to be there for people. We think he will do things in his life beyond hockey. Maybe hockey or sports will be a platform in some cases for him to be able to help other kids or other people.
‘‘I think Jermaine will spend his life in many ways helping people — and many people from less-fortunate backgrounds.’’
NOTE: Wolves right wing Lucas Elvenes was named the AHL Rookie of the Month for October on Friday. Elvenes finished the month as the league leader in points (15) and assists (11). He’s the Wolves’ first rookie honoree since Brett Sterling in November and December of the 2006-07 season. ✶