It was announced today (August 14, 2020) that goaltender Ben Bowns has signed for Austrian club, Moser Medical Graz 99ers (formerly EHC Graz).
It marks a momentous moment for both the Great Britain netminder and the club he leaves behind, the Cardiff Devils.
Bowns signed for the Cardiff Devils in 2014 following a two-year stint in the Elite League with Hull Stingrays and playing his junior career in Sheffield.
Bowns has helped Devils win three Erhardt Conference titles, two Challenge Cup Championships, two Elite League titles and two Playoff Championships.
In Elite League play, the Rotherham native posted a 0.911 save percentage for the Cardiff Devils. Consistently good and by far the best home-grown goaltender in the UK.
This move ends a lot of conjecture surrounding the goaltender’s future with him being rumoured to move overseas last season following tremendous success with Great Britain at the 2019 World Championships.
On the Hockey from Across the Pond website in May, Bowns mentioned that he had considered offers, especially one from Switzerland (NLA) but the fit wasn’t right at the time and he stayed in Cardiff.
https://anchor.fm/mark-rackham/episodes/Ben-Bowns–eSports-and-GB-to-face-USA–Canada–EP39-S1-ee6e40
Doubtless, there were many factors that played into the decision to sign a deal overseas for the 2020-21 campaign but now at 29 years old, it would have been a backward move to become a back-up.
Per this release by Graz 99ers, Bowns shall be the number one for the Austrian club who will promote a youngster to be the GB goaltenders back-up.
https://www.99ers.at/2020/08/14/99ers-verpflichten-broda-altmann-bowns-cameranesi/
Since Cardiff’s introduction to the CHL (Champions Hockey League) and Great Britain’s rise through the World Championship ranks, Bowns’ stock has risen.
You have to think that Bowns made a strong impression against Graz in the 2019–20 Champions Hockey League, helping Cardiff to two wins over the 99ers.
That allied with his stellar play in the 2019 World Championships, his work ethic, commitment to better himself and being grounded made Bowns a desirable acquisition for European clubs.
The loss to Cardiff is immeasurable and Devils fans will be extremely saddened at the departure of one of their most loved players who must be a strong candidate to have his number raised to the rafters at some point in the future.
No Cardiff home game was complete without the “Bownsy wave” with the goaltender taking the time to thank fans for their passionate support.
Not only was he a fan favourite but also a well valued and highly respected player in the room.
Don’t take my word for it, you can see for yourself with these tribute video’s put together by the Cardiff Devils featuring current and former team-mates.
Bowns joins a very ambitious team who are looking to bounce back from a below part 2019-20 EBEL campaign and have veteran Canadian Head Coach Doug Mason at the helm.
On a personal note, I would like to wish Ben Bowns and his wife Jade, all the very best for the future. Not only is he a tremendous goaltender but also an honest, open and just a good human being, which I found out when interviewing Ben in Nottingham this past February and when speaking with him on my podcast in May.
Viel Glück in Österreich, Ben.
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