Blackhawks' Bowey out to prove he can be everyday player
When the Blackhawks signed Madison Bowey to a two-year contract on January 28, the prevailing thought was he would play in one game then be banished to the AHL for the rest of the season.
The logic behind this reasoning had to do with the fact that Bowey needed just one appearance to become eligible for this summer's expansion draft. Bringing Bowey aboard allows the Hawks to protect Connor Murphy.
But a funny thing happened after Bowey made his Hawks debut in Dallas on Tuesday. Instead of a one-way ticket to Rockford, the 25-year-old was in the lineup during the Hawks' 6-5 loss to Columbus on Thursday.
Bowey was far from perfect, but he assisted on Alex DeBrincat's go-ahead goal with 6:55 remaining. Bowey did a nice job of allowing the Hawks to keep possession in the moments leading up to the score, then chipped the puck to Patrick Kane, who fed DeBrincat.
"He's got some experience in the league," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "Big body. Can make some plays and obviously that long reach can help him defend.
"Obviously we've got a couple of injuries and COVID situation. ... He's done a good job considering he just joined us."
The Hawks' depth on the blue line will be tested with Murphy (hip) out 8-12 more days, and Adam Boqvist working his way back into shape after being in COVID protocol.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Bowey is from Winnipeg and played four seasons for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL (juniors). He was selected in the second round of the 2013 draft by Washington and played 84 games for the Capitals before being traded to Detroit. The Red Wings let him go after last season.
"He was drafted by a really good team in Washington and when he came up and turned pro, they were pretty full much like our team was 5-6 years ago," Stan Bowman said after the Hawks signed Bowey. "Then he went to Detroit where he got a bigger opportunity, but their team's a bit in transition. So I think he never got his footing under him there."
Considering he's been a fan of the Hawks since he was little, Bowey was understandably thrilled when they called.
"(Niklas) Hjalmarsson was a guy that came into Chicago and ate a lot of minutes, blocked shots, defended hard," Bowey said. "That's someone I kind of idolize and want to try to take that kind of role on here."
Considering the glut of defensemen fighting for playing time, though, it will be a tall order for Bowey to stay in the lineup. Not only will Boqvist be ready soon, but the Hawks also figure to give Wyatt Kalynuk a look soon. Kalynuk was added to the taxi squad Thursday.
As for Bowey, perhaps the lessons he learned while skating with Brent Seabrook and Shea Weber in Kelowna, Canada this past summer will pay off to the point where he actually earns a role.
Bowey, for one, believes it's possible.
"I'm here to prove myself," Bowey said. "(Seabrook) is obviously an all-star in this league; he's going to be probably a Hall of Famer. Just (took) little notes from him.
"He's a guy that I've always watched growing up, always really took an eye to the way he plays, the way he defends and how he carries himself on and off the ice. That's someone I really looked up to and has really helped me along the way. ...
"For myself it's building off (the summer) and continue to improve my game defensively. (I want to) prove to these guys I can be a guy that can play hard and they can trust."