By Mike Beasley /
Cam Fowler has finally found a hockey home and the Windsor Spitfires are happy that it’s with them.
The talented defenceman from Farmington Hills, Michigan finally settled on the Spitfires and the OHL after initially turning down a chance to join the league back in 2007 when the Kitchener Rangers selected him with their first pick.
Fowler told the Rangers he was interested in an NCAA hockey scholarship and was going to suit up with the United States National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan rather than play Major Junior in Canada.
Then one year later, the Spitfires had a hunch that Fowler may change his mind one day and he decided to play in the ‘O’ after all.
In 2008, Windsor selected him in the first round (17th overall) and the hunch paid off big-time this season as Fowler is suiting up in a Spits uniform and already turning heads around the league.
After two seasons with the USNTDP and an offer from Notre Dame University to play college hockey in the States, Fowler is showing everybody around the OHL why he was such a highly regarded player and legitimate pro prospect when Kitchener initially drafted him two seasons ago.
“I had a couple of good opportunities with Notre Dame and Kitchener and there’s nothing against either one of those programs but I really feel I’ve found the right spot in Windsor,” Fowler explained.
The 6-2, 190-pound rear-guard is eligible for the 2010 NHL Draft and is already projected as a first round pick because of his strong skating ability and vision on the ice.
Fowler also has some prime time stats to add to his resume.
After 13 games this season, the 17-year-old (turns 18 on Dec. 6) was among the Top Ten OHL scorers with 2-17-19 points.
After settling on the OHL, Fowler admits that getting to pro hockey ASAP was his priority and playing for Windsor would help him prepare to get to the next level.
“I’ve been playing this game for awhile and realized that it’s something I would like to do for a living,” Fowler explained.
“I thought the best way to get there was to come to Windsor, focus on hockey and play for Bob Boughner and his staff. I felt that the school part at Notre Dame was going to be a challenge for me. That’s another reason I came here, I could concentrate on hockey.”
As a rookie in the OHL, Fowler acknowledges that team success always comes first followed by personal achievements and individual goals.
As a member of the defending Memorial Cup champions, Fowler is focused on helping the Spits win the OHL again this season and earn a trip to Brandon, Manitoba for the 2010 national tournament.
“My main goal is to help the team win another Memorial Cup, if I can do that then I think the individual stuff will come my way,” Fowler admitted.
“I have to make sure that I’m ready to play every time I step on the ice because I don’t want my rankings to slip. There’s lot of hard work involved but I’m ready to make the commitment. It’s up to me to control my destiny.” |