Leading Hockey Clubs Around The World Alerted by Bownsy’s Remarkable Form For Great Britain In Slovakia

Ben Bowns suffered knee injury in October for new club Graz 99ers.

Leading Hockey Clubs Around The World Alerted by Bownsy’s Remarkable Form For Great Britain In Slovakia

Yorkshireman Ben Bowns has alerted top clubs around the World thanks to his remarkable form for Great Britain during the World Championships in Slovakia.

Cardiff Devils goalie Bowns made a series of astonishing saves for against Germany (1-3) and Canada (0-8).

There is no question clubs at the top levels in Europe and North America are watching Bowns, assessing his style and quality.

The Monday After: Bowns in the shop window

Devils, of course, want Bownsy to stay and there is no doubt it would take a life-changing contract offer to even tempt him.

Walking his dog on beaches close to his home is Bowns’ number one pastime.

I’m lucky to live in a place where I have four beaches within half a mile to a mile from my front door,” he says. “I take him out around them and over the cliff tops every day and stop off for a coffee half way through (that’s more because the dog throws a strop if we don’t go to his favourite cafe).”

Bowns and fiance Jade run a massage business and he is happy with life after five seasons and close to 300 appearances for Devils, who have won Elite League titles, the play-offs and more.

I love the pure professionalism of Cardiff Devils and how they treat you at the club,” says Bowns. “No other club compares on that front. 

The owners are superb and have sent me to Calgary to train every summer and I spend a lot of time with them.

Ben Bowns. Pic: Jillian McFarlane)

There aren’t many clubs that would do that for you. 

As a city, Cardiff has everything you need within a reasonable distance. 

Go 45 minutes either way and you’re out in the countryside and there are beaches quite close, too.

The city centre is nice, modern and there were plenty of restaurants around and many things to do.  It’s a great place to be.”

Bowns is, without doubt, committed to Devils. It would take a massive, long-term offer to tempt him.

Equally, would clubs in the American League, KHL, NHL or any of the top European competitions take what would be a risk in what is a crucial position.

Bowns spent three seasons playing for Sheffield’s English Premier League Steeldogs before being offered a chance to step up to the top-flight by then Hull coach Sylvain Cloutier.

He spent two further years honing his craft in East Yorkshire before Cardiff called.

Paul Thompson.

Former Steelers coach Paul Thompson was clear how he felt seeing Bowns shine for Devils and GB, saying: “How Ben Bowns is not at Steelers is beyond me – it’s criminal.

I just shake my head when I think about it. How can that guy slip through? What were the people who were here previously doing or thinking?

I tried to sign Ben when I was in Coventry but, to me, it’s just baffling that a guy who was born down the road from here is playing for one of our main rivals for the league title.”

Bowns is settled in Wales. He adores Devils and loves the area he lives in.

If any club wants to tempt him away it would take a massive offer. My gut feeling is that Bownsy will be playing for Cardiff Devils next season.

I sincerely hope he is.

The only absolute certainty, though, is that Bowns will NOT join another Elite League club.

Schedule for GB at the 2019 World Championship in Slovakia (face-off times local time).

Saturday, May 11: Germany 3 Great Britain 1

Sunday, May 12: Great Britain 0, Canada 8

Tuesday, May 14: Great Britain v Denmark 4.15pm

Wednesday, May 15: USA v Great Britain 4.15pm

Friday, May 17: Finland v Great Britain 8.15pm

Saturday, May 18: Great Britain v Slovakia 8.15pm

Monday, May 20: France v Great Britain 4.15pm

GB squad

Netminders

Ben Bowns – Cardiff Devils

Thomas Murdy – Cardiff Devils

Jackson Whistle – Sheffield Steelers

Defencemen

Tim Billingsley – Nottingham Panthers

Dallas Ehrhardt – Manchester Storm

Steve Lee – Nottingham Panthers

Evan Mosey – Cardiff Devils

Ben O’Connor – Sheffield Steelers

David Phillips – Sheffield Steelers

Mark Richardson – Cardiff Devils

Paul Swindlehurst – Belfast Giants

Forwards

Ollie Betteridge – Nottingham Panthers

Ben Davies – Guildford Flames

Robert Dowd – Sheffield Steelers

Robert Farmer – Nottingham Panthers

Luke Ferrara – Coventry Blaze

Mike Hammond – Manchester Storm

Liam Kirk – Peterborough Petes

Robert Lachowicz – Nottingham Panthers

Ben Lake – Coventry Blaze

Joey Lewis – ESV Kaufbeuren

Matthew Myers – Cardiff Devils

Brett Perlini – Nottingham Panthers

Jonathan Phillips – Sheffield Steelers

Colin Shields – Belfast Giants

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