Farmington Hills native Cam Fowler achieves bucket-list goal in final trip to Joe Louis Arena

 

By @StefanKubus –

Farmington Hills native Cam Fowler had one last chance to make it happen.

His Anaheim Ducks visited the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena Saturday night, the sixth and final visit of his career.

With one last shot at a bucket-list moment, the 25-year-old defenseman made it count in front of family and friends on a night in which he started the game on the ice.

At the 5:16 mark of the second period, Fowler was the recipient of a gorgeous passing play started by fellow Michigan native Ryan Kesler (Livonia), and he fired a wrist shot top shelf on the far side past Detroit netminder Petr Mrazek.

Though his goal came in a losing effort, Fowler – a Honeybaked and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program alum – said it was still something he’ll always cherish. It was both his first goal and point in the building in six career NHL games.

“That’s one thing I was hoping I could check off my list,” Fowler said. “I haven’t scored in this building before. It was a special one. I wish I could’ve done it in a win, but nevertheless, it was a fun moment while it lasted, but not for the team obviously.”

As an aspiring youth hockey player, Fowler made regular trips to The Joe as a fan to see his hometown Red Wings play a handful of times per season. But as a player, too, the building holds a little more meaning than most other Michigan natives who come through town.

Fowler made his NHL debut at age 19 in the same very building on Oct. 8, 2010. It was a 4-0 loss to the Red Wings, but Fowler skated 21:20 and blocked five shots in what was the start of a bright future. Despite a -25 rating that season, Fowler still recorded solid offensive numbers with10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points – all career-high totals to this day – in 76 games.

This season, amidst early-season rumors he was on the trade block given Anaheim’s tight salary cap situation and need for a top-six forward, Fowler has proven he’s a hotter commodity than ever. Through the first 32 games of the season, he had amassed eight goals and 20 points – a pace that would see him net 20 goals and 51 points, which would smash his career-high marks.

 

His eighth goal of the season Saturday night in Detroit marked his highest output in that department since scoring ten as a rookie in 2010-11. And as of Dec. 19, he’s just eight points shy of matching his point total from last season in half as many games.

Whether it’s because of his success on the ice or his hometown ties off it, it’s only fitting that Fowler was on the ice more than anyone else that night, having skated a game-high 26:30. In addition to the goal, he also recorded three shots on goal, one hit and one block.

Fowler said it was a night he won’t forget in a building that holds decades of memories.

“I always enjoy playing here and I’m sad it’s coming to an end,” Fowler said. “I always enjoy coming back here and playing in front of family and friends, in this building especially. I would’ve liked to end on a better note as a team obviously, but a lot of fond memories in this building and a lot of things that I’m thankful for. I’m gonna miss it, that’s for sure. ”