Braeden Bowman Golden Knights: Rookie finding footing fast

Braeden Bowman did not have far to travel for his first NHL call-up. The 22-year-old forward from Kitchener, Ontario, had been playing just over seven miles away with the Henderson Silver Knights, close enough that the two rinks almost share the same stretch of desert. Even with the short trip, the moment still felt enormous for a player who spent last season battling for a regular spot in the AHL.

He learned the news after practice in Henderson. A video coach asked him to head into the office, where he was told he would be joining the Golden Knights. Bowman called it “a pinch me moment” and said he needed a second to believe it was real.

A Development Path That Never Looked Simple

Bowman’s rise has come through unusual circumstances. His OHL draft year effectively disappeared because the league cancelled the 2020–21 season due to COVID restrictions. He trained mostly on his own and tried to stay ready for a league that would not restart until the following season. By the time he reached the AHL, he was still fighting for a regular spot.

“I remember last year at this time I was still fighting for a spot in Henderson,” he said. “Every day was a battle.”

Despite that slow start, Bowman kept building his game. This fall he earned a larger role with the Silver Knights, including time on the penalty kill. As a result, when the Golden Knights needed a forward, he had already played his way into the conversation.

A Game Built on Details and Reliability

When he arrived in Las Vegas, the coaching staff asked him to stick to the habits that got him there. They wanted him to manage the puck, compete on the walls, and support the play with structure. Those instructions matched how Bowman already approached his shifts.

“The foundation of my game is doing the little things and the details,” Bowman said. “If there is a play to be made, make it. If not, put it behind them and get on the forecheck. Usually that stuff creates offense.”

Because of that mindset, he adjusted to the NHL pace without trying to force offense.

Cassidy Impressed by His Early Consistency

Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy noticed Bowman’s poise right away. He said the rookie handled his first few NHL games with more consistency than expected.

“I am surprised,” Cassidy said. “I am surprised his first call-up he has been able to be this consistent. That is a really good sign for the kid and a really good sign for us.”

Cassidy also explained why Bowman has been able to skate with top centers. The rookie can make plays along the boards, move pucks to the middle of the ice, and get to the front of the net at the right moments.

“He has some of Stoney’s attributes,” Cassidy said, referring to captain Mark Stone. “He is long, he makes plays, and he is good at getting pucks off the wall to the center iceman.”

Teammates See the Same Strengths

Bowman’s teammates have echoed those observations. Jack Eichel described him as a player who thinks the game well and supports the puck in smart areas.

“He is a super smart player,” Eichel said. “He makes a ton of little plays. He is really easy to play with. He goes to the net, he has really good hands, and he has a knack for scoring.”

Defenseman Kaedan Korczak said Bowman’s offensive instincts were clear long before he reached the NHL.

“Goal scorer, playmaker,” Korczak said. “You could see it in practice and in the preseason. He looks dangerous offensively.”

Forward Cole Reinhardt pointed to something different: Bowman’s composure.

“It is hard to take that opportunity in stride, and he is doing just that,” Reinhardt said. “We are joking around now about the Calder race, so hopefully he keeps it going.”

Settling Into the NHL Environment

Bowman admitted that nerves followed him on his first day in the facility. He almost waited in his car before heading inside. Once he did, teammates helped him feel comfortable, and each practice improved his timing with the NHL pace. The results have shown up quickly. Through his first six NHL games, he has scored four goals and added one assist, giving him five points in a limited but impactful stretch.

“Just be a responsible player,” Bowman said. “Make the small plays and help the team win.”

For now, that steady mindset has allowed him to stay in the lineup. It has also given the Golden Knights a young forward who continues to earn trust each game.

Bowman and the Golden Knights return to the ice tonight at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City for the second game of a three-game regular-season set against the Utah Mammoth; Vegas won the first meeting 4–1 on November 20.

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