NLL Insider

St. Kitts A's backstop Zach Bowen (Ward Laforme Jr.)

Last year, junior keeps Nick Rose and Matt Flindell were easy choices as the head of the class goalies in the ‘08 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.

Rose got picked up by Toronto and is now behind Anthony Cosmo and Mike Poulin in Boston, while Flindell impressed in his first year in Portland, currently on Philadelphia’s roster via the dispersal draft.

Although this year’s keeper talent pool might not be as easy to project the top one or two gimmies from, one guy likely near the top of most GM’s tender wish list has gotta be the St. Catharines Athletics’ Zach Bowen.

With good stats, some of the biggest money games the junior league in Ontario has seen over the past couple summers, and a willingness to learn the pro game and earn his NLL stripes, Bowen brings the tools and attitude to land a gig on someone’s full-roster.

Skill transferred from the smaller junior sized nets is one thing, but the right attitude and willingness to make adjustments to your game is key for keepers coming from the junior leagues, looking for a future in the NLL.

Bowen posses both the attitude and approach.

ZACH BOWEN

Height: 6′0″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Position: Goalie
Shoots: Left
From: Thorold, Ontario
Junior: St. Catharines Athletics

What do you feel your greatest asset is that would allow you to translate your game to the NLL?
My speed, quick reflexes, stick skills, and my inside game should help me adapt to the bigger nets in the NLL.

One (or a couple) word(s) to describe your game?
Aggressive playing the ball, confident, consistent, determined and always improving.

What current or former NLLer would you most closely compare or model your game after?
Nick Patterson or Matt Vinc.

Your greatest accomplishment (team or individual) during your college, junior or even senior lacrosse career?
Being lucky enough to have made Jr. A my first year out of midget and having the opportunity to play five seasons as a Jr. A keeper. Also, winning team playoff MVP and the Bob”Buff” McCready Award.

Anything else to add?
I’m able and willing to play in any NLL city. Looking forward to the challenge of playing with pro shooters and am willing to do anything it takes to be a starter in the NLL someday.

Other Hello My Name Is…

• Former Jr. B scoring sensation and Mars Hill attacker Dave Hodgins (Read More)
• Coquitlam Adanacs smash mouth pure defender Brandon Turner (Read More)
• Victoria Shamrocks versatile D/two-way stud Erik Sage (Read More)
• Gritty Peterborough Lakers power forward Kyle Clancy (Read More)
• The spicy yet methodical Brampton Excels off-season pickup Dane Stevens (Read More)
• Nanaimo T-Men Jr. A forward Jon Diplock (Read More)
• Edmonton’s past-first forward Sean Reid (Read More)
• Loyola grad and current MLL defender PT Ricci (Read More)
• Calgary Raiders agreesive, physical defender Garrett Werschke (Read More)
• The Burlington Chiefs timely scoring ace Ryan Learn (Read More)
• Versatile Burnaby Lakers offensive sniper Shaun Dhaliwal (Read More)
• Syracuse’s most recent #22 and ‘09 MLL rookie of the year Dan Hardy (Read More)
• The RMLL’s versatile offensive transitional force Kiel Donahue (Read More)
• BCJALL five-year vet goaltender Ray Hodgkinson (Read More)
• Edmonton Eclipse starting backstop Marc Nano (Read More)
• Six Nations Arrows’ pure D caretaker and Minto winner Holdon Vyse (Read More)
• ‘89 power forward, Delta Islanders point leader Carlton Schuss (Read More)

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