Nipissing Lakers Captain making waves in top professional hockey league 

Parker Bowman recently scored his first goal with the Rapid City Rush of the ECHL.

The 24-year-old was born in Bracebridge, and before signing to the South Dakota-based team in Feb. 2024, played four years with the Nipissing Lakers (he was the team’s captain during last two) and two seasons with the Powassan Voodoos.

He says not long after the Lakers season ended in Feb. 2024, Rapid City reached out to the team with a contract offer. “I signed it as fast as I could,” he adds.

He netted the goal in his eighth game with the team on March 16 against the Kansas City Mavericks.

Bowman was one-on-one with Kansas City netminder Jack LaFontaine and with no Mavericks defenders around him, took his time and slotted the puck over the goalie’s right shoulder.

“I couldn’t have drawn that up any better,” said Bowman. “I did get the puck from a great pass from my teammate. I looked up expecting their defenders there and they weren’t. It was just me and the goalie and my eyes lit up.”

Along with the American Hockey League (AHL), the ECHL is one of the two minor hockey leagues recognized by the National Hockey League (NHL). The Rush and the Calgary Wranglers in the AHL are affiliated with the NHL’s Calgary Flames.

Bowman says that putting on the Rapid City jersey and seeing the Calgary Flames logo on his shoulder is special. “It’s something that you don’t really know how to react to,” he continues.

While Bowman is now playing hockey professionally, he’s still making sure he finishes his schooling. He says he’s set to earn his Bachelor of Commerce from Nipissing this spring.

“I still love the game,” he says. “It’s been a big part of my life since I was little. I’m going to do this as long as I can.”