Captain Bowey back; Rockets blueliner returns

(CONTRIBUTED)
KELOWNA — Kelowna Rockets captain Madison Bowey arrived in Prince George on Friday night. He was too late, and likely too tired, to play in the Rockets win over Prince George, but the Rockets blueliner is ready to play Saturday night.

Bowey was released by the Washington Capitals on Friday morning, after attending the team’s NHL training camp. A second round draft pick of the Capitals, Bowey was attending his second training camp with the Caps.

“I felt the camp went well. I did some good things out on the ice,” he said. “I thought I could have had a better rookie game but that being said, I learned a lot and grew more as a player, on and off the ice.”

Last season Bowey set a Rockets franchise record with 21 goals, eclipsing the 19 that Tyson Barrie scored in 2008-09. A year older and with another NHL camp under his belt, the Winnipeg native says he’s ready to rejoin his team-mates for his fourth full season with the Rockets.

“I’m looking forward to joining the boys and bringing all the great things I’ve learned back to Kelowna. It’s going to be an amazing year.”

Bowey is expected in the lineup on Saturday when the Rockets will play the rematch against Prince George.

That leaves only Tyrell Goulbourne (Philadelphia) still with an NHL team after Rourke Chartier, Justin Kirkland and Mitch Wheaton made their season debuts on Friday night.

Kelowna returns home to meet the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday night.