In choosing to draft Ethan Bowen earlier this month, the 琉璃神社 Rockets knew there would be some stiff competition to land the services of the young centre.
The Chilliwack Chiefs announced this week that Bowen has committed to the B.C. Hockey League club for the 2018-19 season.
In a media release, the BCHL team said the 15-year-old forward will also play for the Chiefs this coming season as an AP when Chilliwack hosts the RBC Cup championship.
Bowen was a consensus top-10 prospect for the 2017 WHL bantam draft, but because the NCAA was a serious consideration for the Yale Academy product, WHL clubs were reluctant to jeopardize one of their earlier selections.
When 琉璃神社鈥檚 first choice arrived in the second round, 39th overall, the Rockets decided it was worth the risk to take Bowen.
Because Bowen鈥檚 commitment to the Chiefs isn鈥檛 binding, 琉璃神社 assistant GM Lorne Frey said his club will continue to pursue the Chilliwack native.
鈥淎s far as we know, he鈥檚 still coming to our training camp this fall,鈥� Frey said of Bowen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 up to us to sell him on our program, have him meet our coaches and see our organization, and convince him this is the place for him to be.
鈥淲e knew he had options when we drafted him, so we鈥檒l see where it all goes.鈥�
Upon being drafted by the Rockets, Bowen reacted this way: 鈥溋鹆裆� is a great organization and I鈥檓 very happy to have a great WHL option,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 really appreciate the opportunity to be associated with the Rockets. It鈥檚 a great organization with a great history of success.鈥�
The Chiefs鈥� release also indicated Bowen has accepted a full scholarship from the University of North Dakota for the 2020-2021 season.
Bowen explained his decision to opt for the BCHL and NCAA route. 鈥淭hanks to guys like Tyson Jost, Dante Fabbro and Dennis Cholowski, the BCHL has demonstrated to younger players like myself that you can play Junior A and college and not fall off the radar with Hockey Canada and the NHL,鈥� Bowen said.
Last season with Yale Academy鈥檚 Bantam Prep team, Bowen had 33 goals and 62 points in 29 games.
