Prospect Weekly: Shane Bowers is working for an opportunity

Individual accolades and highlights have been few and far between for Colorado Avalanche prospects playing in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles. In his first professional season Shane Bowers has experienced some of those ups and downs but is growing into that defense first center at the pro level.

It took 21 games, including last season’s spring debut in the AHL, for Bowers to score his first professional goal but it was worth the wait. Bowers put in some hard work on the forecheck and then was ready at the net front in what is his signature nose to get dirty around the crease.

Unfortunately Bowers suffered an injury in the game on November 15th and had to sit out three weeks. The nature of the injury was not disclosed other than upper body injury and he skated in practice for a couple weeks prior to his return.

Bowers celebrated his first game back to the lineup on December 7th in style as he scored the game tying goal with just under three minutes left in San Diego. Again, Bowers does his damage by finding the perfect spot right in front of the net to accept a great little feed from AJ Greer. Also an outlet by Conor Timmins gets the play started as well to complete this Avalanche prospect trifecta.

Now since his return Bowers has compiled five points in five games including another goal and two of the three assists which came on 5-on-3 power plays proving that prime opportunity does in fact lead to production. Bowers also has nine shots on goal over that period as well. He’s been partnered mostly with Greer and veteran Colin Campbell as a good all-around energetic middle six line. Bowers will make his living at the net front which is where he’s stationed on the second power play unit and he also gets time on the penalty kill. His game is coming together nicely and is ready for the Avalanche should a need arise.