Josh Cowen is still getting accustomed to the fact that he’s at long last healthy.
The rugged Red Deer Rebels winger started to turn the corner at Christmas in terms of remaining free of sickness and injuries, and last Saturday he was at his abrasive best in a 3-1 Western Hockey League win over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors.
“Finally, I’m able to put everything in the past. I’ve just been battling through stuff and I’m finally healthy.
“It feels good,” Cowen said Tuesday.
“I finally felt like I could go out there (Saturday) and take the body and keep my legs moving.
“I felt like I finally had lots of energy and hopefully I’ll keep that going.”
Cowen suffered a shoulder injury during a Nov. 10 game at Kamloops, but continued to play with the ailment.
He has, however, missed a half dozen games due to food poisoning, more than one head injury and a bout with the H1N1 flu, but looked to be back on track against the Warriors, working the corners effectively, killing penalties and drawing an assist on the Rebels’ winning goal.
“I’ve had meetings with (Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin) and he’s told me what I have to do. I kept my feet moving the other night.
“I was hard along the boards and was getting on the forecheck and getting pucks deep,” said the second-year forward, who will attempt to copy Saturday’s performance when Red Deer hosts the Tri-City Americans tonight.
“I think I was trying to do too much in earlier games. I’m not really a skilled guy.
“For me, it’s a lot about going to the net and bearing down on rebounds, getting tips and creating space for ‘Nuge’ (linemate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins). That’s a big part of why I’m on his line — to create space for him so he can do his thing.
“He definitely surprises you sometimes with the plays he makes. He’s a really incredible hockey player with great vision on the ice.
“He gets you the puck.”
With 11 goals to his credit in 42 games this season, Cowen has shown he can convert scoring chances. And he provides added value with his willingness to play a fearless, crash-and-bang style.
“That was ‘Cowie’s’ best game in some time,” said Wallin, in reference to Saturday’s outing.
“He’s had a bit of a tough go this season.
“With him, it’s always seemed to be one thing or another. But he showed what he’s capable of (Saturday).
“That’s what we need out of him, we need him to be effective that way. He has to be a physical presence no matter who he’s playing with, and as a guy who can fit into our top six we like him playing with a guy like (Nugent-Hopkins), he adds a physical presence to that line.
“He’s a guy who can finish checks, create space, create turnovers in the offensive zone and be a presence at the net. That’s the way he has to play and the other night he did a really good job of that.
“Since Christmas his play had just been OK and I think that he took a step in the right direction on the weekend.”
Wallin suggested that the 19-year-old product of Salmon Arm, B.C., temporarily lost track of what made him effective.
“It’s almost like he was banged up so much that he wasn’t quite sure how to play healthy, as ridiculous as that sounds,” said the Rebels bench boss. “He’s a guy who thrives off his work ethic and he was really moving his feet during our last game. That’s the effort level and the intensity he has to sustain.
“But he’s certainly a key part of our team. He’s a heart and soul guy, a guy who will do anything for his teammates. He’s a great penalty killer and a real great guy in the dressing room. With ‘Cowie’, everything is about the team. He just wants to win.”
gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com