| Born: | Sep 25, 1974 | Draft: | Undrafted |
| Hometown: | Toronto, Ontario | Position: | Centre |
| Known For: | DEL Champion (2003) | Shoots: | Right |
| National Team: | Canada | Current Status: | Pro Scout (Colorado Avalanche) |
Bill Bowler (born September 25, 1974) is a former Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2000-2001 season. Undrafted at the NHL level, Bowler was a tremendously gifted offensive player in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), posting three consecutive 100-point seasons with the Windsor Spitfires. His abilities and dedication earned him an opportunity with the Las Vegas Thunder of the International Hockey League (IHL), and he made his debut in the 1995-96 season, finishing with 31 goals and 86 points in 75 games.
In the next four seasons, Bowler playing time in the IHL included stops with the Houston Aeros and Manitoba Moose. His patience was rewarded in the 2000-01 season when he received a nine-game stint with the Blue Jackets. He recorded two assists, eight penalty minutes, and a minus-3 rating. He set an team record with most assists in a single-season for the Syracuse Crunch, and tied the team record for points with 79, which held up until Carter Verhaeghe surpassed it during the 2018-19 season.
The following season, Bowler split the year with the Milwaukee Admirals and Norfolk Admirals, but never received another shot in the NHL. As a free agent, he chose to sign in Germany to play for the Krefeld Pinguine of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). His time with the club was limited to seven games during the regular season, but he appeared in 14 postseason games, aiding the Pinguine to the 2003 DEL Championship. Bowler retired at the conclusion of that year, opting to close out his hockey career as a champion.
Bill Bowler Statistics
Deeper Dive
Staff History
- Don Mills Flyers U18 AAA, GTHL U18 (Assistant Coach) 2003-2005
- Windsor Spitfires, OHL (Assistant Coach) 2005-2007
- Windsor Jr. Spitfires U18 AAA, ALLIANCE U18 (Head Coach) 2010-2011
- Chatham Jr. Maroons, GOJHL (Director of Player Development) 2010-2011
- Chatham Jr. Maroons, GOJHL (General Manager/Head Coach) 2011-2013
- LaSalle Vipers, GOJHL (General Manager/Head Coach) 2013-2017
- Windsor Spitfires, OHL (VP. of Hockey Operations) 2015-current
- Windsor Spitfires, OHL (General Manager) 2019-current
Achievements
- OHL Most Assists (102) (1995)
- OHL Overage Player of the Year (Leo Lalonde Trophy) (1995)
- IHL Second All-Star Team (1999)
- DEL Champion (2003)