The Ducks have chosen defenseman Cam Fowler with their first pick in the NHL Entry Draft, the 12th overall selection.
Here is the scouting report on the 18-year-old from NHL.com:
In the 2010 Ontario Hockey League playoffs, Fowler finished sixth in scoring among defensemen with 14 points (3-11–14) in 19 games as Windsor won their second consecutive Robertson Cup as OHL Champions.
In 55 games this season he tallied 55 points (8-47–55), finishing seventh among OHL defensemen, and his plus-38 rating helped the Spitfires finish first in their conference.
As a member of Team USA he won a gold medal at the 2010 World Junior Championship and at the 2009 Under-18 World Championship where he was named the tournament’s Top Defenseman.
Fowler played two seasons in Ann Arbor, Michigan with the U.S. National Training Development Program. In 2008-09 he was a member of the Under-18 team recording 30 points (6-24–30) in 38 games.
He is also a graduate of the Detroit Honeybakked AAA hockey system, playing his last year in minor-midget totaling 28 points (8-20–28) in 52 games. He was also originally recruited to play for the University of Notre Dame before deciding to play for Windsor in the OHL.
Fowler played Division 1 Baseball in High School for Farmington. As the Cinderella team in the 2007 Michigan State Championships, Fowler took the loss as the relief pitcher in the final game against Lake Orion.
Born in Windsor, Ontario he holds dual citizenship as his family moved to Michigan when he was two years old.
His childhood hockey hero was Bobby Orr because his dad would tell him about Orr and he wears number 24 instead of four because fellow 2010 Draft prospect and teammate Taylor Hall already it in Windsor.
Director of NHL Central Scouting’s E.J. McGuire:
“He’s your prototypical offensive-defenseman. He’s your (quarterback) on your (power-play), he’s your great skating offensive-defenseman and he controls the puck with his skills. If you’re looking for a comparison, think of Kaberle with the Maple Leafs. But in sticking with his country, maybe even a future Leetch or Housley.”
Windsor Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner:
“Cam’s vision, skating and passing are his greatest assets. He gets himself out of trouble with his feet and his mobility makes it very difficult for opposing players to get by him. Cam has good size and once he fills out, he will anchor an NHL club’s back end for many years.”
