Jim Parker of the Windsor Star provides a solid piece on 2010 NHL Draft prospect Cam Fowler and the things he is attempting to work on leading up to the NHL draft.


Windsor Spitfires' Fowler to play more physical brand of hockey

Windsor Spitfires defenceman Cam Fowler is quickly learning that scouts become a lot more critical of a prospect as the NHL Draft draws closer.

"Early in the year, you love everything about (a highly rated) prospect," one NHL scout said.

"The closer you get to draft day and a decision, the more time you spend on a player.

"There's a lot more negativity because reality is setting in and if you're that team with a high pick, you don't want to miss a fatal flaw."

The NHL's Central Scouting Bureau has Fowler as the No. 3 prospect overall among North American skaters and the No. 1 defenceman, but a scout for International Scouting Service didn't hesitate to say Fowler has dropped to No. 4 overall on that list and is second among defencemen behind Kingston's Erik Gudbranson.

The reason?

The six-foot-two, 190-pound Fowler isn't physical enough for his liking.

"I realize it's a knock on me now," Fowler said.

"I'm not a physical player like (Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman) Dion Phaneuf."

Fowler said he can improve that aspect of the game.

It's something Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner has tried to drive home.

"He knows and I've challenged him to get better at dishing it out and being physical and he's doing that," Boughner said.

"He's a smart defenceman and a tough guy to beat one-on-one, but he needed to get that element of his game up and he's responded."

Fowler's aggressive play has been on display during Windsor's three-game winning streak.

He cracked a few members of the Sudbury Wolves on the road and Sunday sent a few Sault Ste. Marie players face first into the glass.

"It's something I've been working on for a while, but it's a work in progress," Fowler said.

"My last three or four games have been the most complete I've played.

"You just want to make sure you're up in people's faces and when you get a chance to finish someone, you do it."

Scouts say Fowler is a gifted skater with a big offensive upside.

His first two-goal OHL performance Sunday boosted his season numbers to eight goals and 52 points in 53 games.

"I don't tell him anything offensively because he's gifted in that area," Boughner said.

"Some guys have it and he does."

Having that physical edge is one of those small details that will erase any doubts about his abilities.

"(Spitfires associate coach Bob Jones) said some guys need a reason to get mad and some guys are just mad when the puck drops," Fowler said.

"I think I'm the former, but these guys know the little things I need to do to get to the (NHL) level and that's where I'm trying to go."

Having been able to watch Fowler play several times this season, I truly believe this is an illustration of scouts nitpicking at one's game. Sure, does Fowler play the body like Phaneuf or Shea Weber? No. But neither does Duncan Keith or Nicklas Lidstrom.

The bottom line is Fowler is a kid who is going to be a mainstay on someone's NHL roster for the next 15 years. As mentioned in the article, he's an elite skater with a very good offensive skills. He makes a great outlet pass out of his zone and has improved over the course of his first OHL season with his play in his own end.

Whether he makes the jump directly to the NHL remains in question. It may all depend on which NHL franchise ends up selecting him during the first few picks of the 2010 NHL Draft. I don't believe a second season in the OHL would necessarily hinder him. However, it is quite evident Fowler has the skills and professional demeanor at a very young age to be able to carry himself as an 18 year-old NHL rookie, if necessary.