Top Rangers prospects like Tim Erixon and Christian Thomas
are scheduled to participate in September’s Traverse City Tournament, but there
will also be a few relatively unknown players joining them.
Between now and September 10th, we’ll take a look at some of
the less-touted prospects that will don the Rangers’ sweater at Traverse
City. Today, we look at…
Collin Bowman
HT: 6-2
WT: 200
Pos: D
Shoots: R
Birthday: 6/13/91
Team: Moose Jaw, WHL
2009-2010 stats: 4g, 16a, 65gp, 84PIM, -17
2010-2011 stats: 11g, 38a, 72gp, 104PIM, +2
2010-2011 playoffs: 0g, 4a, 6gp, 0PIM, -2
WHL.ca
profile >
What’s They’re Saying:
The Prospect
Park – “If you go only by the numbers then Collin Bowman is never going to
impress you as the 6'2 200 lb. defender has not put up numbers until this past
season when he went 11-37-48 104 PIMs (4th on Moose Jaw) as a teammate of 2010
first round pick Dylan McIlrath. Bowman
is a physical defender who has decent size at 6'2, is not afraid to drop the
gloves and has been a solid leader (assistant captain) for Moose Jaw on and off
the ice. We first saw Bowman with the Kelowna Rockets in 2008-2009 where he was
part of the WHL Champions. We want to
see Bowman use his shot from the point more and he does need to improve on how
fast he makes decisions on the ice. Skating is not bad and his hockey IQ is
pretty good. The director of community
relations for the Moose Jaw Warriors Marnel Rasmussen told us that Bowman was a
great player on and off the ice. From her that is high praise as Bowman is one
of the few Warriors we have heard her single out.”
Daniel Lizee (TheScoutingReport.org)
– “A jack of all trades defender. Has good poise, reads the play well, can
bring some offense and some defense but doesn't bring either in droves. A team
looking for an all-around d-man will give Bowman a look. Out of the 3 players
[Bowman, Jordan Hickmott and Tayler Jordan], I think Bowman has the best chance
of getting a contract.”
Curtis Deem (TheScoutingReport.org)
– “Collin Bowman stepped his game up in a big way last year, after being dealt
to Moose Jaw. He has good size and uses it pretty well, and is willing to fight
if he needs to. He's an above average skater, with a good shot and makes smart,
strong passes on a regular basis. Bowman definitely looks the part of a
potential pro defenseman, and can play various roles if he's needed to.”
Guy Flaming (ThePipelineShow.blogspot.com)
– “Collin Bowman is a big, steady d-man who broke out offensively last year
after a trade from Kelowna to Moose Jaw. Tough to say for certain if it was the
new team or just being a year older but the Warriors are less defense-oriented
than the Rockets, generally speaking. He never really lived up to expectations
being Drayson Bowman's brother, but [he plays a] different position too. He's a decent player, not sure he's an NHL
player.”
Kelly Friesen (Buzzing the
Net) – “Bowman is a mobile defenceman who's not afraid to throw his weight
around. Bowman broke out last year notching 11 goals and 49 points. I wouldn't
consider Bowman as an offensive defenceman, but he definitely can move the
puck. The biggest knock on Bowman is his skating, he's a below average skater.”
Moose Jaw Director of Community Relations Marnel
Rasmussen (via The
Prospect Park) – “‘Collin is a character player. He loves hockey; it’s in
his blood and he is a very driven individual. He is not your typical Junior
player—while other players might be gaming, Collin found part time work-- not
because he had to but because he likes to keep busy. Collin worked with a power
skating school in Moose Jaw; helping young players develop and learn skating
skills. Collin is mature beyond his 20 years. Off the ice, he put in over 40 hours of
volunteer work--- reading, visiting schools and attending hockey
practices. On the ice, Collin
brings it every night. I cannot remember him ever missing a game unless a
serious injury. He played through
the flu and a broken finger (without a blink of an eye) --- never afraid to
drop the gloves and works very hard. He is a leader and one of our assistant
captains last year…. Deservingly so. He is has helped our young D like Morgan
Rielly (Draft Eligible) and Joel Edmundson (St Louis) develop
tremendously.’”
Moose Jaw Warriors Director of Hockey Operations Alan Millar
(via The
Prospect Park) - "Bowman is a well rounded, solid, complete
defensemen. He plays in all situations for our hockey club. Collin is a key
member of our team and an excellent leader. Rangers fans would like Bowman's solid, reliable play. He competes hard
in all situations and is very reliable at key times during a game, including,
when the game is on the line."
Kelowna Rockets Assistant Coach Jeff Finlay (via HockeysFuture.com)
in 2009 – “‘I think Collin’s strengths as a player are his hockey sense,’
Finlay said. ‘He knows his limitations and competes very, very hard. He’s just
a real solid defensive defenseman, but at the same time he moves the puck well
because he sees the ice so well. The
knock might be that he’s maybe not the most beautiful of skaters right now, but
he knows how to get by out there and is a really solid defensive defenseman.’”
HockeysFuture.com in 2009 – “Bowman is considered to be a defensive defenseman who is capable of
moving the puck efficiently. He sees the ice well and may have some as
yet undiscovered offensive talent, but will never be considered an offensive
defenseman. Bowman needs to work on his skating and works hard at doing
so.”
MJWarriors.com – “Acquired from Kelowna, Collin Bowman is a physical blue liner who is always
ready to throw out a big hit or toss off the gloves.”
Thoughts: Up until his 48-point outburst last season Bowman
was known primarily for being a sound, physical defenseman, but his offensive game has developed and he’s become a pretty well-rounded
defenseman. Apparently skating isn’t
Bowman’s strength, which can be a major issue for prospects, but he probably
has the best chance of the Traverse City invites to earn a contract.
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