On July 15th, it was confirmed that Ben Bowns, a prominent ice hockey player hailing from Great Britain, has extended his contract with the Cardiff Devils for a ninth consecutive season. At 33 years of age, Bowns will continue to serve as the primary goalkeeper for the Devils, facing formidable competition from his teammate Mac Carruth.
His tenure with the Cardiff Devils is punctuated by his recent representation of Great Britain in the 2024 IIHF World Championships, where he earned his 75th cap in a match against Denmark. His exceptional performance on the ice has garnered accolades from the head coach of the Devils, Pete Russell.
Russell, who has had extensive experience coaching Bowns in the national team, has lauded the goalkeeper for his leadership qualities and his indispensable contributions to the team. He has expressed confidence in Bowns’ ability to enhance the Devils’ performance and secure victories for the club.
Born in Rotherham, Bowns initially joined the Cardiff Devils in 2014 and played a pivotal role in securing six titles for the Elite League side. His exceptional talent was further underscored by winning the Elite League’s netminder of the year award three times during his initial six-year tenure with the team.
Furthermore, Bowns made history as the first British-born netminder to compete in the prestigious Champions Hockey League (CHL). Following his outstanding performances in the 2019-20 CHL, Bowns was signed by the Austrian team Graz 99ers for the subsequent season. Unfortunately, a severe knee injury in October 2020 temporarily sidelined him; however, he made a successful comeback towards the end of the 2020-21 season.
Amidst the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Bowns briefly played for the Nottingham Panthers in 2021 before embarking on a stint with the Slovakian side HK Dukla Trencin for the 2021-22 season. His return to the Cardiff Devils in the summer of 2022 marked the beginning of his second spell with the team.
Bowns’ illustrious career and steadfast commitment to the sport have firmly established him as a pivotal player for the Devils. His unwavering dedication, both on and off the ice, underscores his significance to the club’s aspirations as they strive for further triumphs in the forthcoming season.