After establishing himself as one of the best Junior A hockey players in the country, Elkhorn’s Bradley Bowles took the step up to the University Sports level last winter with the University of Manitoba.
“University hockey is definitely a lot different,” wrote Bowles in a social media interview. “The speed of the game, size of the players, and skill level of all the teams is for sure a level up from junior hockey.”
The son of Sally and Delbert Bowles quickly established himself as a contributor on a young Bisons squad that had a strong second half of the season. The 6-foot-2, 195 pound forward had two assists, 14 points, and 24 penalty minutes in 24 games. One of his teammates at the U of M was his twin brother Shawn.
“They are both very good plyers individually, but playing together they bring out the best of each other,” Bisons head coach Mike Sirant said.
He usually played them on the same line.
“They will challenge each other. They will make each other better out there,” said Sirant, who often put them on the same line as fellow former Yellowhead Chief Quintin Lisoway.
After playing a season at the U Sports level, Bowles feels it is a bit underrated.
“There's so many great players and I don't think the league gets as much respect as it should.”
While he enjoyed the competitive hockey, Bowles wrote that “The one thing I enjoyed most this past season was meeting my new group of teammates. It was a lot different off the start going to school and meeting new people, but my teammates made that adjustment easy.”
He joined the Bisons after a stellar Junior A career with the Portage Terriers. The Bowles brothers helped the Terriers win the 2015 Royal Bank Cup national Junior A title and a pair of Manitoba Junior Hockey League championships. Bowles collected a variety of awards. For example, in 2015. He was the RBC Cup Tournament MVP, Top Forward, and Top Scorer. In 2015-2016, he led the MJHL in points and was its MVP. In July of 2016, he was invited to and participated in the Calgary Flames development camp.
No matter where he has played, Bowles has always had the backing of his family.
“My family has been great throughout all my years of hockey. From six and under to playing (U Sports), they have always supported me and help guide me as I move forward with my life.”
