Capitals Defenseman Madison Bowey Earning Trust, Ice Time

Last February, after trading for defenseman Michal Kempny, the Capitals sent Madison Bowey to the Hershey Bears. The team saw the situation as a win-win: They added experience heading into the playoff race and allowed their prospect a chance to log heavy minutes and develop in the America Hockey League.

Kempny tallied five points in the 2017-18 playoffs, including three (1g, 2a) in the Stanley Cup Final. Now, nearly nine months since the trade, the second part seems to be materializing as the Capitals had envisioned.
After serving as a healthy scratch for parts of the season, Bowey, 23, returned to lineup on Oct. 27 against the Calgary Flames. He's continued to progress since, recording three shots on goal in the last two games and skating 18 shifts in the Capitals last outing.

"I liked a lot of things he did [against Dallas]," coach Todd Reirden said Saturday after the Capitals 4-3 overtime loss to the Stars. "It's important that [people] see [Bowey], his skating ability and right shot. [He can] add offense and defend with his feet and size. He was physical [Saturday]. A couple different times he was joining the rush, being a part of things. His last few games have been good, and he continues to grow and gain confidence."
Bowey agreed with his coach's assessment of his confidence. He believes his brief stint in Hershey last year - where he notched eight points in nine games - accelerated his growth and helped prepare him for this season.
"Getting down there, getting my touches, playing on the power play and just getting the confidence up was great for me," Bowey said. "I came back ready to go. Obviously, we had a great playoff run. But if something happened, I felt ready to jump in there."

"He's a good player, good hockey IQ," said Dmitry Orlov, noting Bowey's ability to quickly transition from defense to offense. "When a player has confidence, he plays better. I think that's the case with Bowey - he's a great player, everyone likes him in our room. He'll continue to build confidence and be a good player for us."

Bowey's played more in the absence of Brooks Orpik, who's been nursing a lower-body injury. Since filling in for Orpik in those last two games, Bowey has recorded a 69.23 shot attempt percentage (27 shot attempts for, 12 against). He's averaged nearly 11 minutes over the last three games and is often paired with fellow young defenseman Djoos, reuniting the former AHL duo.
"He and I work really well together," Bowey said. "In Hershey we had a good connection, especially in our second year. Now it's just making sure we come in every day, ready to improve. As we keep moving forward, I think it can be a great combination."

Reirden singled out Bowey as a young player who's taken advantage of his time, alleviating coaches' concerns about his inexperience or ability to match up with the NHL's best. Bowey held his own against Dallas' top line, Reirden said, especially while paired with Djoos.
"I don't view them anymore as a first-year pairing," Reirden said. "They're taking steps, they're growing.
"That's an exciting part of our organization down the road, that we have a lot of those prospects who continue to build in Hershey or in junior hockey," Reirden said. "I think it's proper management of those players - to give them the right opportunity to develop and not force them into having to [become elite] defenseman overnight. That's how you set players up for failure. The path that we've had Madison on these past couple games has been good."