Friends in Low Places [2/2]

[Smarch 3,153]

Full Name: Kevin Low
Position: D
Age: 19
Jersey Number: 34
Height (inches): 6'0"
Weight (lbs.): 210lbs
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States

 

Introduction:

Kevin Low was basically born to play hockey with his family being involved in the game going back to his grandfather, Reed Low. Reed played in a different era of hockey, so Kevin doesn’t come close to playing the same hard nosed game his grandfather did, modeling his game more like his father Conner Low. Kevin was born eighteen years ago in New York City, just four years after his father Connor ended his VHL career an settled down in the Big Apple to live his post-hockey years. Kevin wasn’t around the VHL locker-room when his father played in the league, but once Low started playing competitive hockey his goal was to play in the same league as his father.

 

Growing Up - Before Hockey:

 

Low didn’t get his start in hockey until he was eight years old, his first love in sports was golf. Low grew up hearing how great of a defeseman his father was, which is one of the major reasons Low didn’t gravitate to hockey right away as he didn’t think he could like up to the legacy his father left. Low grew up watching every major in golf from the time he would walk and talk, cheering on Tiger Woods during his hayday. It wasn’t until December 2008 when Low was eight years told that his focus shifted to hockey, this was in large part due to the reports coming out that Woods has having affairs with weird looking hostess. Even at eight years told Kevin didn’t agree with what Woods was doing, mostly because Woods wife was hot and these hostess, well not so much. Low went to his father and told him he was ready to start playing hockey, and was told he would need to work very hard to catch up to his peers that had been skating and playing for the past four or five years. That winter Low was signed up for the local rookie hockey program that offers skill development clinics. Low used this opportunity to focus on his skills backward skating to puck handling and shooting. After being grouped with kids the same age as himself at the beginning of the clinics, Lows’ natural ability started to shine through and he was quickly moved up to be in a group that included kids aged twelve to thirteen. After one season in the skill development clinics, Low moved on to the to play in the New York State Amateur Hockey Association.

 

Growing Up - Beginning His Career:

 

Low started his hockey career after applying for the Boys’ Player Development league in the New York State Hockey Association. This league is used to identify players who possess skill to compete at an international level of play, so Low as able to play very competitive hockey in his first year of hockey at the age of nine. Low started his hockey career playing forward in the league, showing some amazing skills including a great first pass. Low spent many years as a forward in the development league, until he was fourteen years old. At that time Lows’ father was approached to get involved in the league as a coach, something Connor accepted and was asked to coach the team Kevin would be playing on. With a lack of capable defenseman on the roster, Kevin was asked to move positions and try his hand at being a blue-liner. The first few weeks were a steep learning curve for Kevin, but after weeks of putting in extra time after practices with his father, Low started to show great improvement in all aspects of being a defenseman. Low ended the season playing in all fifteen games as a defenseman, putting up ten goals and twenty assists in those fifteen games, and those numbers and improved play grabbed the attention of the coaches of the Boys Select 15 Player Development program. Low attended the North Selection Regional Tryouts for the 15s, something that was new for Kevin as he never had to attend any try-outs previous to that.

 

Growing Up - The Next Step:

 

Kevin attend the Regional Tryouts hat last two days, and was called in to the coaches offices after the end of day two. After a few minutes of talking about his game, what they like about it and what Low can improve, Low was informed that he indeed made the roster and would be joining the Boys Select team. The first year that Low was in the player development program, Low struggled to adjust to the competative style of play against some of the states best hockey players. Low wasn’t able to put up the number he had the year before and ended the season with just one goal and four assists in fifteen games. Low went through a lot of self doubt during the season, questioning his ability to play against the best of the best in hockey. Low and his father talked about giving it another shot the following season, using the off-season to work on his skating and overall defensive game. Low showed up the following season to tryout again for the player development program, this time with the Boys Select 16s. Low looked much different than the past season, putting on some weight during the off-season. Low made great strides during the two day tryout, making the team again. Low looked forward to redeeming himself in his second season in the player development program and that’s just what he did. Low improved on his poor five point performance from the previous season, putting up ten goals and ten assists in fifteen games with the Boys Select 16s. With his renewed confidence in himself and his game on the ice, Low looked forward to returning the following season for the Boys Select 17s. The last season of the player development program for the New York State Amateur Hockey Association. Low showed up for camp in the best shape of his young hockey career and dominated the tryouts for the Boys Select 17s. Low was so dominate that he was named captain for the team and took on a leadership role for the first time for the development program. Low carried his amazing tryout play into the season and took the next step in his career, putting up career highs with twenty goals and twenty-five assists in the fifteen games he played for the Boys Select team. Low caught the eyes of many scouts that came to watch him play in his final year in the program, but none of the scouts had what Low was looking for, a VHL Contract.

 

All Grown Up - Start of a Career:

 

It was early April 2019, when Low received a call from his father as he contemplated his path in hockey. Conner informed him that scouts from the VHL were in contact with him and asked about Kevin. After a hour long conversation about the pros and cons of University Hockey and the Victory Hockey League, Kevin came to the conclusion to send in the paperwork to declare himself eligible to sign with a VHLM club. Shortly after submitting his paperwork for the league, Low was approached by the General Manager of the Las Vegas Aces. Low signed a contract for the remainder of Season Sixty-Five with the Aces and appeared in twelve games during the regular season with the club. Vegas was able to squeak into the playoffs and Low was able to play in two post-season games with the Aces. After the Aces were bounced in the playoff, Low entered the off-season and continued his preparation for the upcoming VHLM Dispersal Draft. Low was eventually selected with the Twelfth Overall draft choice by the Philadelphia Reapers, allowing Low to play hockey in just his third state since putting on skates just over ten years ago. Low will now look forward to putting on a Reapers jersey for the first time and starting what will hopefully be a long VHL career.   

[Acydburn 1,607]

Review:

 

On 5/2/2019 at 10:40 PM, Smarch said:

Low grew up hearing how great of a defeseman defense man his father was, which is one of the major reasons Low didn’t gravitate to hockey right away as he didn’t think he could like up to the legacy his father left.

 

With the exception of a couple of typos, it's a good biography. What stood out to me the most was the fact he didn't really dwell on his grandfathers or fathers success at hockey. He took it upon himself with the correct help. At 15 I believe it was he had some self doubt but instead of throwing in the towel he worked his ass off to hone the natural gifts he had. 

[Walter Fizz 84]

Review: The biography was really good in my opinion. I liked how the format/ setup included pictures. The size of the words fit perfectly. The huge letters at the beginning of every new part felt like reading an old book. Overall good like really good.