Dallas Stars Draft Profile: Waterloo Black Hawks Forward Shane Bowers

Up until the NHL Draft on June 23rd, the team at Blackout Dallas will be rolling out previews of the potential Dallas Stars selections. Today, we look at Shane Bowers.

Name: Shane Bowers

Position: Center

Shoots: Left-handed

Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Birthdate: July 30th, 1999

Size: 6-foot-1, 178 lbs

Team: Waterloo Black Hawks (United States Hockey League)

Stats: 22 goals, 29 assists, 51 points in 60 games.

NHL Ceiling: Middle-six two-way forward

The Dallas Stars gained an additional first-round pick from the Anaheim Ducks back in February in exchange for forward Patrick Eaves, and with the 29th pick, general manager Jim Nill might have just the guy to fill that role Eaves left void.

Eaves’ absence left a gaping hole for a player that can run the cycle effectively, play a dependable two-way game, and put the puck in the net. Shane Bowers can do exactly that, playing often times the harder position: center. The Dallas Stars are a team with plenty of center depth, but in today’s NHL, you can’t have enough centermen.

Bowers, a USHL prospect, plays a game that simply translates well to what’s working in the National Hockey League. He’s not a small guy by any means, giving him the size to wrestle opponents off the puck, and the agility to loosely dangle through the competition to set up a scoring chance.

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His lower-body strength allows for Bowers’ superior balance to create time and space for his teammates at Waterloo, as Bowers is rarely separated from the puck when the defense pressures him. His quick hands provide another element to his game in the trapezoid, as the Boston University commit is able to subsequently turn his hips and make a play out in front after developing time and space for his line.

His slick hands are not limited to just playmaking, as the rapid, heavy wrist shot he boasts is one of the best in the USHL. When Bowers has the puck in the face-off circles all alone, he can rip it and rip it fast. His gameplay style is reminiscent of Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.

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Bowers will be noticed as well for his responsible, mature defensive prowess. Bowers is never caught out of position, evaluates every play while on the ice, and skates well enough backwards to make a big difference in preventing the opposing counterattack from generating shots on goal.

Bowers is the epitome of a north-south center in the NHL; he plays a calm, collected 200-foot game that is bound to impress an NHL front office. One thing that’s enticing to League general managers is his future competition level; with a commitment to Boston University, you know Bowers will see the skill level he needs to improve the little aspects of his game.

Bowers can play a little bit of wing, and might have to refine that capability in the NHL ranks. If one team is too deep at center, much like the Dallas Stars, Bowers will have to shift to the side and try to play the same game.

What Bowers will have to improve upon is his physicality. While his strength down low is an advantage, he has a very lean body that would be eaten up in the NHL. Over the years to come with the Terriers, it’s important that he becomes bigger and stronger.

Bowers, having led the Black Hawks to the Clark Cup Playoffs’ Western Conference Final, has been scouted enough to see a selection from the mid to late first round, perhaps being available for the Dallas Stars at #29 overall.

Next: Powerful Winger Maxime Comtois Also An Option At #29

Bowers would be a stellar choice for the young Stars, fitting into their fast, up-tempo game with his electric skating. We shall see what Jim Nill and crew have in mind on Friday.

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