Since many people, including me, don’t expect Mike Green or Tim Gleason to return for the 2015 season, the Caps must prepare to fill at least two open spots on the back end. Given his experience with the Caps, it is likely that Nate Schmidt will fill at least one of the positions leaving one spot up for grabs that either Madison Bowey or Dmitri Orlov could easily fill. Bowey is a strong contender for one of these positions and July’s Training Development Camp will give him an opportunity to prove he’s ready for the NHL.

Bowey may be a new face for many of you. He is a strong, 20 year old, right-handed 6’ 2”, 207lb two-way defensemen, who plays strong both offensively and defensively, like John Carlson. Bowey was the 53^rd overall pick selected by the Caps in the 2013 draft.

His career stats are excellent too. In the 2011-12 WHL season, he recorded 8G, 27P +3, and 39PIMs in a total of 57 games for the Kelowna Rockets. In addition, he scored a goal in their first round sweep that post season. In the 2012-13 season, he managed 12G, 30 P, 75PIMs and a +41 in 69 GP recording 4A in 11GP. In 2013-14 he recorded his career best scoring of 60P in 72 games played. In 2014, he scored 19 points during the post season. He has three gold medals with Team Canada and is very familiar with fast play against world-class athletes.

Bowey models his playing style after Nashville’s Shea Weber. He has a promising future and with some great coaching from Barry Trotz, who knows what he can do. The upcoming training camp may provide Bowey with the opportunity he needs to demonstrate his on-ice prowess and secure a D-line position with the Caps.

What do you guys think, is it his time? Who would you pair on the third line defense? Personally, I would see how Bowey does in Hershey and if he does well; call him up and pair him with Schmidt.