This week, the Chicago Blackhawks announced they signed defenseman Madison Bowey to a 2 year contract with a $725k AAV. 

Bowey is a 25 year old right-handed defensemen. He was originally a 2013 2nd round draft pick of the Washington Capitals. He played parts of 2 seasons with the Capitals before heading over to the Detroit Red Wings. He was, most recently, on a PTO with the San Diego Gulls until the Blackhawks put pen to paper and brought him back to the Midwest. 

Before we jump into some numbers and some reports on Bowey, check out this video. He wore #74 for the Red Wings. This was the best video to show off a few different things. You can see Bowey make some key defensive plays, he scores a goal, and Malcolm Subban is in net for the Golden Knights. So, you can see a bit more of Subban, too! You’re welcome.

Just to throw it back, here are some highlights from his WHL career:

Here’s a look at his last 3 seasons in the NHL:

2017-18(WSH): 51GP 0G 12A 12P 

2018-19(WSH): 33GP 1G 5A 6P 

2018-19(DET): 17GP 1G 3A 4P

2019-20(DET): 53GP 2G 14A 17P

Clearly, he’s not going to light the world on fire and put a bunch of pucks in the back of the net. For some reason, I remembered Bowey as being an interesting prospect for the Capitals. I saw some negative takes about him after signing with the Blackhawks. So, I went on a little research mission to see what the deal is. 

So, here is the Bleacher Report Prospect Profile for Bowey aaaallllll the way back from 2013.

He was considered a reclamation project when he left Washington in a trade with Detroit. The Red Wings put him on waivers during the 2019-20 season, and he spent a short stint with the Grand Rapids Griffins. When I say short, I mean that he played one game with them. Can’t get much shorter.

Funny tidbit: his one game with the Griffins was against the San Diego Gulls - the team he signed a PTO with before coming into the Blackhawks organization. He must have liked that warm weather . . . sorry, Madison. You won’t find that here.

Here’s a good piece I found about Bowey after he was sent down to Grand Rapids: Quick trip to minors seems to have done some good for Red Wings' Madison Bowey by Ted Kulfan via The Detroit News

A quote I particularly like:

“You realize it’s a tough league to play in and you want to be here,” Bowey said. “My main focus going down there was making sure I did all the little things right and do whatever they need from me.

And now a more positive piece about Bowey’s 2019-20 season: Detroit Red Wings: Madison Bowey had a quiet but meaningful season by Tyler Kotila via Detroit Jock City

Takeaway quote:

One of the players who had a quiet, under the radar season, was Madison Bowey, who proved he deserves minutes on the Detroit Red Wings blueline.

Now, a player proving that they deserve more minutes on that Detroit blue line isn’t something that will blow anyone away and make them want to sign Madison Bowey ASAP. But, if he could stick with Detroit, it means that he could at least have NHL upside if he picks his game up and keeps it consistent.

With all of the negativity I was seeing floating around after this signing, I’ll take any positivity.

So, here’s my takeaway.

Madison Bowey is 25. He has 154 games of NHL experience. He won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals (He didn’t play in the playoffs. But, he has a cup. You can’t take that away from him. He was there and experienced the playoff grind by being around his teammates.)

He’s still pretty young. He has room to grow. But, he adds some experience to a very young IceHogs blue line. He brings in some NHL experience along with Cody Franson. After hitting the waiver wire last season, not being qualified by the Red Wings, and being on a PTO with the Gulls before coming here - I think Madison Bowey comes into this season having something to prove.

Do I think he will be an all-star defender? No, probably not.

Do I think he will be serviceable on the blue line for the Rockford IceHogs? Absolutely.

Keep In mind that we have another Expansion Draft this offseason as the Seattle Kraken make their way into the NHL. He could have been signed for that reason alone.

If you’re seeing a bunch of hot takes on the internet saying that Madison Bowey sucks, I’m here to ask you to give him a chance. He could come out and surprise a lot of people this season.