DraftWatch 2010: Cam Fowler, the Kid Who Said No to Notre Dame

When he was 15 years old, phenom defenseman Cam Fowler locked in a scholarship to play college hockey at Notre Dame. Two years later, at the age of 17, the kid from Farmington Hills, Mich. made a phone call he said was "the toughest thing I've had to do in my life so far."

He broke his commitment with head coach Jeff Jackson and Notre Dame, electing to play Canadian junior hockey with likely 2010 first overall pick Taylor Hall and the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.

"That was not easy," Fowler told FanHouse after a long practice in Windsor the other day. "Notre Dame was very good to me and Coach Jackson has been like a mentor. It was just decided, after a lot of talking and analyzing with my family and advisors, that the full schedule and competition of junior hockey was the best avenue for me."

It's a road that will take a sharp fork next June when Fowler's is one of the first names to be called at the 2010 NHL Draft. But here's the thing about this kid's ability: he's so good, Fowler was going to be a top selection whether he played for the juggernaut junior team in Windsor, a top NCAA program in South Bend or high school hockey in Hawaii.

"Pure, pure talent," declared an amateur scouting director for a Western Conference team. "Before this season even started, I had him with Taylor Hall as the two players guaranteed to go in the first five overall picks. I think he would have benefited playing for Jackson in South Bend and it would not have had any effect on his draft ranking.

Prospect to Watch: Brett Connolly
While he does not crack the FanHouse Top 5, the 6-2, 190-pound left wing with Prince George is a big favorite of scouts for his combination of skill and Western Canadian tenacity.

"The best thing about Fowler playing in Windsor, to be honest with you, is that it's gravy for us scouts. We get to watch Fowler and Hall in the same game, on the same team and almost definitely in the OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup in the spring."

Playing with Hall was one of several appealing factors in Fowler's decision to join Windsor. "Taylor and I are here for each other. We support each other," said the Spitfires defenseman, who turns 18 on Dec. 5. "I thought being on Taylor's team would be a major positive, and it has been amazing for me so far."

Unlike some draft prospects, who feign innocence about where they stand in the rankings, Fowler is very educated about his "competition" at the top of this year's draft class. During a conversation with this reporter, he was well aware of fellow world-class teenagers like Tyler Seguin and Kirill Kabanov and how they are performing this season. "There's a lot of talent coming through this year," he said.

Fowler would like to go No. 1, although he does not openly pine for the honor like Kabanov does. He believes he has a chance. "Taylor and I have talked about it a little," said Fowler. "We can joke around because we're teammates and we're not in competition. The way I see it, the first pick could come down to which team has it and what their biggest need is. If they need a forward to carry them, to me there's no question Taylor is that player. But if they're set at forward and need a defenseman, maybe I'm their guy."

With apologies to the small minority of draftniks who believe Moncton's Brandon Gormley is in the conversation, Fowler has emerged as the top defenseman in the Class of 2010. "Maybe if this was a decade ago, Cam would be in a group of five or 10 kids you could argue over," said Windsor GM Warren Rychel, a former NHL player. "But in today's game, which is so much about skating, quickness and moving the puck? I'm not sure if you'll find anyone who doesn't think Cam is the top defenseman."

One Eastern Conference team scouting director, with the biggest vote at the draft table, backed up Rychel's assessment. "The first defenseman will be Fowler," said the longtime scout. "If anything was going to change about his ranking, it would have happened if it turned out the Ontario League was a bigger challenge for him than we projected. It isn't. He has been outstanding."

Next up for Fowler is a probable roster spot with Team USA at the World Junior Championships in Saskatoon at the end of December. He'll have to play against Taylor Hall of Team Canada, but yearns for the opportunity of international competition on a big stage. "I haven't heard if I've made it yet," said Fowler. "The announcement should be soon. I'm really anxious about it."

At the NHL Draft in June, he will not have to wait long.

FanHouse's 2010 NHL Draft Top 5, 11/18/09 Player Team GP G-A-P 1. Taylor Hall, C Windsor (OHL) 25 21-24-45 2. Cam Fowler, D Windsor (OHL) 25 3-26-29 3. Tyler Seguin, C Plymouth (OHL) 18 19-17-36 4. Brandon Gormley, D Moncton (QMJHL) 22 5-11-16 5. Kirill Kabanov, LW Moncton (QMJHL) 11 5-9-14