Some hockey players try to avoid drawing comparisons to the all-time greats. It is safe to say Fowler is not one of them.

The Windsor, Ontario-born, Michigan-raised Fowler, chose to wear No. 4, the same as Bobby Orr, in tribute to his father's favorite player. Fowler is not Orr -- nobody is -- but as a playmaking defenseman with tremendous mobility, he had to know the choice would draw attention.

Of course, Fowler, the Anaheim Ducks' first-round pick (No. 12) in the 2010 NHL Draft, has often done the same thing with his play. A few months after being drafted, Fowler became the second-youngest player in Ducks history to make his NHL debut (18 years, 307 days) Oct. 8, 2010. Playing close to home against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, Fowler blocked five shots in that game. One night later against the Nashville Predators, Fowler had an assist for his first NHL point.

On Oct. 17, 2010, Fowler's first NHL goal opened the scoring in a 3-2 win against the Phoenix Coyotes. During that game, a hit from Shane Doan broke Fowler's nose, keeping him out for six games.

Fowler returned in early November and scored a power-play goal in three straight games, making him the second rookie defenseman and the youngest defenseman in NHL history to do so. Fowler also became the second rookie defenseman in League history to score two overtime goals in one season.

Fowler finished 2010-11 as the only defenseman in his draft class to play that whole season in the NHL. He was second among rookie defensemen in goals (10) and points (40) in 76 games. Fowler was third among rookies in average time on ice (22:07) and set Ducks records for goals and points by a first-year defenseman and an Anaheim mark for rookie assists.

In the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Fowler played in all six games of Anaheim's first-round series against Nashville and he led Ducks defensemen with four points in the postseason. On Nov. 13, 2011, at 19 years and 343 days, Fowler scored two goals against the Minnesota Wild to become the youngest Ducks player ever with a two-goal game.

After the season, the Ducks signed Fowler to a five-year contract Sept. 15, 2012. He agreed to an eight-year extension July 1, 2017.

Fowler had his first NHL hat trick in a 3-2 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 4, 2018. Eight days later, he was hit in the face by a shot from Nashville Predators forward Craig Smith. He needed surgery for a facial fracture and missed 23 games.

Fowler played two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He helped the United States finish first at the 2010 World Junior Championship and the 2009 Under-18 World Championship. He also played for the U.S. at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Fowler was the highest scoring defenseman in the 2010 Memorial Cup and helped Windsor follow up its Ontario Hockey League championship by winning the tournament.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• Played in NHL All-Star Game (2017)
• Signed as a free agent by Sodertalje (Sweden-2), November 14, 2012.