Draft Day Memories: Shane Bowers

Oct 4, 2020

_{Story by Ryan Loberger / @LobergerRyan}

 

This week 217 hockey players will fulfill a dream as they are drafted into the National Hockey League. For Colorado Eagles’ center Shane Bowers that day came on June 23, 2017 when the Ottawa Senators selected him with the 28th overall selection in the NHL Entry Draft.

Since that day, a lot has happened for the Nova Scotia native, the center was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in November, just four months after the draft, while playing in his freshman season at Boston University.

But before the trade, and before the arrival in Colorado, draft night is where Bowers recognized one dream and began his pursuit of another, playing in the NHL.

            “I think for everyone the experience is pretty similar,” Bowers said. “You dream about playing in the NHL and (getting drafted) is a big step towards that.”

In his draft year, Bowers had an exceptional season, tallying 54 total points (24G,30A) in 66 total games for the USHL’s Waterloo Blackhawks. Bowers' two years in junior hockey put him in a position to be a high draft pick, and that narrative played out on the first night of the draft. As a player, you can hear about it from teammates, coaches, or anyone else who has experienced it firsthand, but you can’t put it into words until you go through it for yourself.

“You really could never imagine it until it happens,” Bowers said. “You’re on the draft board, walking around with a jersey and a hat on.”

While spending the memorable night celebrating with friends and family, Bowers was also able to share it with some of his former and future teammates.

Bowers was one of three players from Waterloo selected in the draft as well as one of five incoming freshmen for the BU hockey team. Bowers took advantage of the opportunity to get to know some of his future teammates during the weekend.

“I was already committed to BU and their coaching staff was (at the draft),” Bowers said. ”That was the first time I met those guys, we had dinner there at the draft for the incoming freshmen that were getting drafted.”

Despite being around a lot of familiar faces, the rollercoaster of emotions persisted. After being selected and fulfilling all the responsibilities that draft picks have to fulfill, Bowers was happy to regroup at the end and take in the moment away from the rink and the flashing lights.

            “A lot of excitement but a lot of nerves too,” Bowers said. “Those two emotions can kind of battle each other, but at the end of the day, it was nice to get back to the hotel and spend time with my family.”

 

_{Story by Ryan Loberger / @LobergerRyan}