Smokin’ Rookie Justin Bowers

ESTERO, FL – Justin Bowers, rookie with the Florida Everblades, left a trail of smoke on the ice.   In his first professional (preseason) game, he posted two goals and two assists against the Phoenix Road Runners, a team coached by former Blade Brad Church.

Bowers did his part to help Florida run right over the Road Runners in a 7 – 0 victory at Germain Arena in Florida.   It was quite a start for a young rookie looking to make his mark on the team.
 
Bowers had a lot of questions running around in his head prior to the first game.   What will it be like to play at this level of competition?   How would I perform in my first professional game?   Will I be able to play my game on the soft ice at Germain?
 
The answer to all of those questions were a resounding “yes”.  
 
“As soon as you get on the ice, all of your nerves and doubts go away”, said young Bowers.
 
Bowers spent three seasons in the Maritime Junior-A League with theWoodstock Subway Slammers.   His last season with them in 2005-2006 was phenomenal as he posted 123 points in just 54 games (58 goals, 65 assists, 81 PIM).  
 
He then spent two years in Canada at St. Thomas University where he accumulated 68 points in 56 games (29 goals, 39 assists, 56 PIM).   Bowers started college at 21-years old, “a rather late start”, he quips.
 
Bowers was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 20, 1985.   The 23-year old is 6’ 00” and weighs in at about 200 pounds.   He is a forward who primarily plays in the center position.
 
Bowers spends his non-hockey time between Halifax, where his family and brother lives, and Frederickton, where he lives.   His fiancé, also a Canadian, works as a Financial Assistant and lives in Frederickton. He has some family in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida area.   His sister lives in New York City.
 
His down time hobbies are playing golf and basketball.   “ Florida is the perfect place to practice a little golf”, he says with a smile.
 
Being a Canadian, Bowers played hockey as a small child, preparing for his career since he was only 5.   He used to play with his brother when they were young.  
 
“In Canada, especially out in Halifax, there is not much else for kids to do except play hockey”, he explains.     
 
Earlier this year Bowers contacted an agent that he worked with and inquired about professional opportunities.   His agent knew Malcolm Cameron, the new coach of the Florida Everblades.   After reviewing his record, Bowers got the coveted call from Cameron and on September 30^th was signed on as a Blade.
 
Although he did not know anyone personally on the team prior to his arrival, he was surprised to meet Colin Nicholson.   They were practically neighbors up in Canada.
 
Bowers describes himself as, “Very excited.   My performance in the first game really took a lot of weight off my shoulders.   I was very pleased, but have to continue to work hard and move forward”.
 
Bowers describes his strengths as being very offensive minded, having the ability to be creative in his game on the ice, and the capacity to become a strong leader on the team.
 
And who is his favorite NHL team, the one he aspires to join one day?
 
“Why the Montreal Canadians, of course.   The Habs have always been myfavorite”, he says with a youthful grin.
 
Bowers concluded with these thoughts.
 
“We have an awesome hockey team, there’s no doubt about that.   I’m just going to try and work my way up to the top of the lineup and do what ever I can to help”.
 
NOTE:   Justin Bowers was recently traded to the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL.   He joins former Blades David Shantz, Mike McLean and Jarret Lukin.
 
 
Contact the author at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com