Where will Shane Bowers go?

There’s little doubt that Shane Bowers will be taken somewhere in Saturday’s QMJHL Entry Draft. When and where is the big question.

Despite stating his intentions to play hockey in the US, the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles drafted Bowers with the fourth overall pick in last year’s QMJHL Entry Draft. Bowers never reported, the Eagles released his rights, the QMJHL awarded Cape Breton a compensation pick, and now Bowers could land anywhere – again.

Bowers spent last season with the United States Hockey League’s Waterloo Black Hawks where he registered 15 goals and 18 assists in 56 games.

Like last year, Bowers appears to be heading to the States. From the Chronicle Herald:

“We wanted to let you know that Shane is committed to going back to Waterloo next season,” a representative of agent Pat Brisson’s CAA Sports office said Thursday, after weeks of enquiries.  

“Shane is just now back with his family, as of a few days ago, and is taking time to himself with them.”

There’s no question that some team will select Bowers on Saturday. He could go in the first round with a team having worked out some kind of arrangement or just very optimistic. Or he could go later on in the draft as a flyer pick.

Bowers is a Halifax native and played midget hockey in the city. The Mooseheads will select first overall – but, baring a huge surprise, will select either Benoit-Olivier Groulx or Jared McIsaac with that pick. Halifax will also select seventh and 16^th overall in the first round.

The 2016 QMJHL Entry Draft takes place on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Charlottetown’s Eastlink Centre.

Photo via USHL