His junior days are behind him but Cam Fowler relishes the chance to face his former Spitfires coach
Cam Fowler isn't about to let a broken nose and a couple black eyes prevent him from playing against his former junior coach.
The 19-year-old Anaheim Ducks defenceman suffered the injury in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes. Aside from what he calls some "bumps and bruises," the rookie is looking forward to suiting up Wednesday against the Blue Jackets and former Windsor Spitfires coach Bob Boughner, now an assistant with Columbus.
"He was actually one of the people that first texted me when I got my first NHL goal," Fowler told sportsnet.ca. "He said he was really proud of me. I'm really looking forward to seeing him on Wednesday.
"The Blue Jackets have a great guy working for them. He's done a lot of great things to get me to where I am today and I have him to thank for that."
Fowler is in good spirits after his collision into the boards on Sunday.
"It's never fun going face first into the boards," he said. "I feel good now and I kind of look like a tough guy with a couple black eyes, but it's all good. Everything will heal. It's just part of the game."
It's been a surreal start to a professional career for the American defenceman. Fowler waited patiently on draft day in Los Angeles, going from a projected top-5 pick down to the 12th overall spot.
Fowler not only cracked the Ducks roster for opening day, but realized a dream to play at Joe Louis Arena in his first NHL game. After growing up nearby and seeing his fair share of Red Wings games as a fan, Fowler had a group between 40 and 50 people on hand to watch him play his first career game.
"Just looking around and picturing myself not too long ago sitting in the stands watching the Wings play, it was kind of surreal," Fowler recalls. "I had to get over that because I had to focus on the game and get ready to play. It was definitely a special moment for me."
Those first-game jitters haven't been apparent in his young career. Fowler has earned his ice time in Anaheim and received much praise from his head coach Randy Carlyle.
Anaheim is a long way from Detroit, and the prospect has come just as far in his hockey career. He made headlines over a year ago when he decided to de-commit from Notre Dame to join the Spitfires last season. Now that he was able to accomplish his goal of playing in the NHL, it's a decision Fowler hasn't regretted.
"Having the coaching staff and everybody that helped me in Windsor and being able to play with so many great players has definitely helped me get to where I am today," Fowler said.
Although he won't likely play another minute in junior, Fowler likes to keep tabs on his former team's progress.
"I am always checking in on the scores and hoping for the best for the boys," Fowler said. "Any time you play on a team like that that was able to accomplish what we did, I think it brings you closer as teammates and friends. It's good that we're able to still communicate even though we've gone our separate ways."
One of those players going in a familiar direction is a former teammate, goaltender Jack Campbell. The two won gold medals together on the American under-18 and world junior teams. Campbell decided to join the Spitfires this season after originally committing to the University of Michigan.
Although they weren't able to resume roles as teammates in Windsor, Fowler can relate to Campbell, who has struggled so far, given the high expectations and pressure he had a year ago when he joined the Spitfires.
"It's definitely an adjustment," he said. "It's a whole new league and the players are really skilled. You just have to take it one step at a time and you can't get too down on yourself. He's a great competitor."
And so is Fowler. One couldn't blame him if he wanted to take the night off after suffering a broken nose.
Although Fowler's first career goal (a seeing-eye wrist shot from the point) is hardly going to make the highlight reels, he won't soon forget it either. He scored his first NHL goal the same day his 11-year-old sister Peyton celebrated her birthday.
He's hoping Boughner won't provide the Blue Jackets with a blue print to slow him down on Wednesday.
"I hope he doesn't give any of his players any tricks and hopefully I can defend against them also," he said.
Broken nose or not, Fowler's junior days are as good as done.
