By LINDA BOUVET, LSSU Sports Information Director

The lessons about perseverance that junior defenseman Matt Cowie learned during his junior hockey days have paid off at the collegiate level. 

When Cowie was a freshman at Lake Superior State, the Lakers' young defense was ranked 11^th in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and giving up an average of 3.38 goals per game. Last year, the Lakers were ranked ninth and allowing 2.95 goals per game. This year's team is allowing 2.5 gpg and is, more importantly, off to a 4-2 start and batting .500 in one-goal games.

"I'm excited for the next two years," said Cowie, who is one of seven returning defensemen on the 2009-10 Laker team. "I was excited for the first two, but everything is coming around this year, at least so far anyway." 

While senior defensemen Steven Kaunisto and Simon Gysbers are often paired together to add to LSSU's scoring threat, Cowie has been content to block shots and mentor young defensemen. So far this season, he has two assists and is second on the team in blocked shots behind Gysbers. The 5-10, 180-pounder has been paired with freshman Zach Trotman, who is 6-4, 202 pounds, along with junior Tyson Hobbins, who plays both forward and defense, and sophomore Kyle Pobur.

"Obviously (Steven) Kaunisto and Simon (Gysbers) are really good," Cowie said. "I learn a lot from those guys. (Dillin) Stonehouse and (Kyle) Haines...everyone brings something different to the team. It's really good to see, and you can see why everyone got recruited."

Cowie, who has been impressed with his younger teammates' knack for handling pressure situations, simplifies his goals and game plan. He hopes that steady improvement leads to success against the league's top teams.

"I like to do pretty much what's best for the team," he said. "Blocking shots, I'll do anything. I want to work hard. Listen to the coaches. That's just a huge thing."

Cowie wasn't always a defenseman. He played minor and junior hockey for the Nepean organization, including five seasons with the Raiders' junior team, which made five straight Central Junior Hockey League finals appearances. He was a forward until his final two years of juniors.

"The Nepean organization showed commitment toward me," Cowie said. "After seven years, they thought I should be scoring more. They stuck by me and saw good things in me even if I wasn't scoring. I appreciate that. A lot of teams would have traded away a third-year player who wasn't scoring. I'm thankful to the owner and obviously to the coach. Playing in my hometown was something I'd much rather do than get traded."

When he was 16 years old, Cowie occasionally filled in on defense when his team short-handed. He didn't think much of it at the time. As a rookie he was just happy to get in the lineup. There was more at stake when his coach called him into the office early in his third season.

"He could tell I was frustrated, but said 'I can tell you are doing everything right. It's going to turn around for you,'" Cowie recalled. "'Don't think you're ever getting traded.' He reassured me, and that was huge. That meant a lot...to have that kind of trust with a coach."

Cowie discovered quickly that he could contribute more to the team as a defenseman. During his final year with Nepean, he was ranked fifth in scoring among Central Junior Hockey League defensemen.

Since he wasn't an Ontario Hockey League draft pick, he knew college hockey was his best option to continue playing. He is grateful to coach Jim Roque for helping him with the academic hurdles and to his parents, Gerard and Laure, for their constant support.

"Growing up, my dad was my coach for three or four years of minor hockey," he said. "He taught me a lot about positioning and key elements that I've kept with me. My mom was a big influence too. She was not a coach or anything, but she is always supportive and gives me the right kind of advice."

These days, Cowie most looks forward to the high-caliber competition the Lakers see in the CCHA.

"That was a huge selling point," he said. "The Michigans, Notre Dames and Ohio States. Those are names you always hear about. Playing those teams makes it that much more fun. The whole town gets excited about it."