MILTON KEYNES, UK – More than a few eyebrows were raised during the summer when MK Thunder unveiled speedy forward Ross Bowers in their line up for the 2010/11 season. Despite a slow start this season both he and the Thunder have suddenly found form.
There are few players who have completed the full circle of UK hockey by the time they reach the age of 25, however Thunder forward Bowers is one such man. While still a teenager he burst onto the scene for the Thunder with fifteen goals in thirteen games back in 2002/03, which alerted him to the club’s EPL outfit MK Lightning.
Photo by icehockeyphotography.co.uk
The following season he shared duties between the two sides and after lighting up the ENL for a second season, he was drafted full time in to the Lightning ranks where he stayed for the next four trophy laden years under the guidance of Canadian Coach Nick Poole.
Bowers high energy style of hockey earned him a call up to the Elite league in 2008/09 with the Basingstoke Bison, before returning to the Lightning via Slough Jets in 2009/10. Now back in the ENL with the Thunder, Bowers is back where it all began but he believes things are a little different in the ENL this time round.
“The league has changed a lot and the standard is much higher” said the Luton born forward. “It’s no longer considered just a ‘beer league’. It’s good to see imports playing at this level and I believe the young British kids coming through can only benefit from training and playing with good players”
“The EPL is improving every season with some top class players coming into the league, naturally some players get bumped down the ladder and move into the ENL, making it stronger. From what i have seen this season there are quite a few young British lads that I think could have a good hockey career ahead of them”
Bowers is not one of those nudged down a level, owing to improvements in the EPL. He had offers to stay in the EPL and had an honest discussion with Lightning Coach Poole regarding his personal circumstances in the Summer.
“My work has taken priority in my life now, and my hockey had to take the back seat” admitted Bowers.
“Working six days a week I knew I wouldn’t be able to make two, sometimes three games a week and give the commitment that was needed in those leagues. The higher leagues are much faster and more physical, I have had some pretty serious injuries in the past and working in tree surgery I need to be healthy to be able to work”
Lightning days (Jez Tibbetts)
“It was a hard decision but after winning the EPL with MK Lightning last season I felt I was leaving on a high note. I do miss competing at the higher level sometimes. That buzz leading up to big games is hard to replace, so I’ve taken up heroin. . . (That was a joke –Ed.)”
Bowers pedigree has already shone through this season as he has smashed in 26 goals and notched 13 assists in his twenty games so far for the Thunder. Whilst the team struggled initially they have turned a corner in recent weeks and have tasted victory in six of their last nine games including impressive back to back wins over Oxford City Stars and a shock home win over reigning league champions Invicta Dynamos. This run of results has pushed the Thunder well away from relegation worries and only one point off a play-off spot.
“We are always going to struggle with a budget of zero and no import players” explained Bowers, regarding the Thunders’ frustrating start to the season.
Defence improved (flyfifer.co.uk)
“We found a diamond in the rough with Maros Stefanco living locally and willing to pay his own ITC card. At the start of the season we were playing hard, but playing dumb. 90% of the goals we conceded were from our turnovers rather than what the other team were creating, that was the frustrating thing”
“After seven years of being one of the bottom teams in the league the boys had a negative mind-set that has taken time to shake off. We believe we can beat anyone now and the play-offs are within our reach for sure”
“Our defence has been the main reason we are playing so well with all our D-men playing their best hockey right now. Defensive forwards like Aram Todd and Jamie Randall have played a big part in that too”
“As for utility man Matty Roberts, well he’s going to be leading the league for goals at this rate. All the extra training with ‘Jonesy’ has paid off”
Despite struggling last season, the Thunder certainly helped one prospect make the step up to the Lightning with lively forward Jacob Heron earning a full time contract after an impressive campaign in the ENL. The Thunder can be a useful stepping stone for ambitious junior players in Milton Keynes and Bowers believes Heron will not be the last player to make his way to the Lightning via the ENL.
“We have already seen Jamie Line make the move full time, which is great to see” said Bowers, who refuses to rule out another spell with the Lightning for himself in future seasons.
“I think Connor Goode is next in line. He has a lot talent and if he can learn to play smarter and work on the finer points of his game I think he could easily play in the EPL in the future”
“Tommy M’boya is only 16 and plays junior hockey before Thunder but the sky is the limit for that kid. He’s a power forward with a good eye for goal, he will be a nightmare for defenders and I can see him being one of the country’s top Brits in the future”
Good times (icehockeyphotography.co.uk_
It is not just at Milton Keynes where players in the ENL are being noticed. Liam Chong of Invicta and Wightlink forward Robbie Brown have appeared for Basingstoke Bison, and Chelmsford winger Aaron Connolly has appeared for Slough Jets in the EPL.
“EPL coaches now look at the ENL as a place to spot young talent, rather than a graveyard for older players on their way down” explained Bowers. “We have already seen players given the chance to step up and prove that they can play at the higher level this season”
“I’m sure some will be offered contracts in the EPL during the off-season. I think the league has the perfect balance for producing good young British players ready for a chance at professional hockey”
The Thunder face another tough test this weekend as they travel to play Chelmsford Chieftains on Sunday, knowing that their opponents are desperate to get back in the title race after a disappointing loss to league leaders Wightlink last weekend. Surprisingly though, Bowers believes neither will lift the league trophy come the end of the season.
“I really think it could be Romford to win it this year” said Bowers, defying the common belief that the title will be headed to Invicta or Wightlink.
“I know they are quite a few points off the top but with the talent on that team and the new import scoring for fun, they have a strong chance”
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.