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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Bowman Selected as Top Prospect

January 4, 2007 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane Chief forward Drayson Bowman has been selected to participate in the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Wednesday, January 17 in Quebec City. The game is reserved for 40 of the Canadian Hockey League's Top Prospects eligible for selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft

In his second season as a Chief, Bowman has scored 15 goals, third on the team, and 25 points. Nine of his goals have been scored on the power play and two have counted as game winners. Bowman was named the Chiefs Rookie of the Year last season after tallying 17 goals and 34 points. The Littleton, Colorado native was been listed ninth overall in the WHL by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau in their fall preliminary list of draft eligible players.

The players were selected by the National Hockey League's 30 teams and will be separated into two teams prior to the event.

"On behalf of the Canadian Hockey League, it is my pleasure to congratulate these young men for their selection by the National Hockey League to participate in this storied event," said David Branch, President of the Canadian Hockey League. "We are looking forward to watching these talented individuals compete for the attention of the NHL and continuing the rich tradition we have come to expect from the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. We are very grateful for the support of the National Hockey League, Home Hardware and all of our associate sponsors who make this very special event possible."

More than 420 players have suited up in the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and gone on to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft. The game has featured five players who were the first overall picks in the NHL Entry Draft - Chris Phillips (1996), Joe Thornton (1997), Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Rick Nash (2002) and Marc-Andre Fleury (2003).

Bowman is the eighth Chief all-time to participate in the Top Prospects game. Ty Jones, Brad Ference and Derek Schutz played in 1997, Kyle Rossiter in 1998, Jeff Lucky in 2001, Brad Schell in 2002 and Michael Grabner last year. All previous seven participants were selected the following summer in the NHL Entry Draft including three first round picks (Ference, Jones-1997, Grabner-2006).

"This is a major event where scouts can see all the premier draft-eligible players in Major Junior hockey compete head-to-head," said Director of Central Scouting for the NHL, EJ McGuire. "This game promises to be as exciting as years past with several top prospects looking to establish themselves as the premier prospect in the CHL on this night. We are very excited to see which of these young men will best use the opportunity of this event to showcase himself for the 2007 NHL Draft in Columbus, Ohio and beyond."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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