| Braeden Bowman | Guelph Storm | OHL | R | RW | 6’2″ | 194 | Guelph Storm | 2019 | Kitchener, ON | 2003 | 2022-2023: C+2021-2022: C+ |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran, March 1, 2023: The first thing I notice about him is his improved pace of play. He’s got more hop in his step and there’s little doubt that he’s heading into the slot with more confidence when looking for rebounds. A few years ago he was listed at 219lbs, then 205lbs and this year he’s playing at 195lbs so that all kind of makes sense. I also like the fact that his time on ice is up three full minutes from last year (19:01 vs 16:01) with a full ninety seconds of that coming during 5on5 action. He’s also giving more hits and receiving less so that says to me that his pace around the walls has improved too. The area that still concerns me is his 50/50 puck battle winning percentage because as an ’03 in the OHL he’s still kicking around at 51%. I think he’s obviously headed in the right direction and I think he’s going to spend the offseason gaining strength and power, but that 50/50 number has to increase for a real shot at making a living. But on top of all of that he has scored 27 goals in 43 games on 166 attempted shots. Of those 27 goals 22 have come from the top of the crease or within the royal road and the other four have come from the left dot lane while on the power play. Honestly in my opinion there’s a lot to like about his game and how it translates to the professional level and I like that he’s wearing an “A” this year for Guelph.
Neutral Zone NHL, July 4, 2022: Why an NHL draft pick, he is a 2019 fifth round OHL selection who had 27 goals in 60 games in 2021/22. He contributed both special teams units. 72% of his shots hit the net. 19 of his goals came from the top of the crease and another seven came from the high slot. He attempted 189 total shots in 2021/22 with 61 of them coming from the top of the crease. Why not an NHL draft pick, he is 6’2″ 205 pounds and averaged 0.34 hard body checks per game. He won 49% of his puck battles. He had eighteen minor penalty minutes.
OHL: Saginaw Spirit at Guelph Storm, January 7, 2022: Bowman is a second year draft eligible 2003 winger who plays a heavy skilled game. He recently returned from an injury but came into the game having scored 9 goals in his first 16 games so far in his rookie season. Bowman has a big body and plays a physical give and go game on offense to clear out space for himself on the net drive. He needed to hit the net in this game as he had a few chances in close but could not find an opening. Bowman was a favorite of Neutral Zone in his U16 season, he has always played a skilled edgy power game and is well suited for the physical play in the Ontario Hockey League. He did not score in this game but created space on a number of shifts and got his frame into the good scoring areas. Grade: C+
PBHH Invitational, June 15, 2021:
Games 1-3 Evaluation: Bowman was a mid-round OHL pick in 2019 and while he’s only played 2 games in the OHL he’s coming off a productive rookie year in the GOJHL. From a production standpoint he was terrific with 3 goals and 3 assists in just 6 games but being fair his game wasn’t as impressive as his stat line. His goals were a quick snap shot in the slot that beat the goalie clean, another goal catching a hard pass in the high slot and going in alone on the netminder beating him with a slick deke move and the third goal was a hard one-touch give and go goal on a 2v0 rush. He’s got size, he’s strong on his stick and can make plays both in traffic and in open ice with his protection ability. He’s a firm and accurate passer, he can get off checks and attack the net off the cycle and showed touch around the cage and tight areas with clever moves and saucer passes. Bowman is smart, he moves well away from the puck to create passing lanes and draw defenders and he is always ready to shoot or drive the net for second chance opportunities. Grade: B
NHL Draft Thoughts: Bowman hasn’t been listed in NHL Central Scouting but he’s made a strong statement so far here as one of the leading point getters in the league. He has the size, he’s a quality goal scorer and demonstrates offensive awareness and instincts both with the puck and away from it. With that being said he’s not explosive, he’s not fast, he doesn’t play with great pace and he’s not someone who creates a lot of offense on his own. He could find his way on draft boards because of his scoring touch, IQ and strong performance here statistically but he just isn’t quite there for us on our board at this stage in his career. Once he proves himself at the OHL level, which he’s more than capable of, then we’d have to really consider his draft stock at that time.
GOJHL Top Prospects Games, February 2, 2020: Bowman had a solid showing at this event. He showed off his nice hands in front; he was able to tip a few pucks and cause issues for the goaltender. He also had soft hands in tight areas; a few times during the game a puck would pop out to him with limited time and space and he found a way to make a smart little play. We liked his puck control ability in the offensive zone; he was able to get the puck on the side wall and was able to hold onto it until the play opened up. There were shifts where he would dominate offensively; wheeling his way around the zone looking for options to open up. Although he only came away with one goal for the game, you could see why he leads all 2003’s in the GOJHL with 20 goals. He has a nose for the net and likes to score. Bowman showed good starts and stops and quick edge work on the cycle. He has quick feet which allowed him to make defenders miss. He was noticeable all game and did a good job helping to create offensively. Grade: B+
Toronto Titans Minor Midget Tournament, September 28, 2018: Bowman has good size and strength on the wing and is quick on the forecheck doing a good job as F1 separating the puck from the man. He handles the puck well and is good below the goal line battling hard for loose pucks. He has to take the puck to the net and be willing to create a net presence in the offensive zone.
World Selects Invite, June 4, 2018: Bowman had soft first touches on pucks and has good size. Made hard, accurate passes in the neutral zone. Mostly north/south and got his body to the crease. He managed the puck well and did not overhandle it. No points but filled lanes and played hard.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images