Hayden Fowler – Erie Otters – Player Profile

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 181 Pounds

Date of birth: September 24, 2001

Hometown: Kingston, Ontario

Position: Center/Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 19^th overall 2017 Priority Selection (Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds)

NHL Central Scouting Rankings

Hayden Fowler played his Minor Midget AAA hockey during the 2016-2017 season with the Greater Kingston Frontenacs AAA squad. In 35 games, Fowler scored 22 goals and added 18 helpers. In 10 playoff contests he would contribute 6-4-10 totals. He would also play 3 games with the Kingston Voyageurs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League to end the season and notching one assist.

Here’s what OHL Central Scouting had to say at the time:

Hayden is one of the top prospects in the ETA this year. He is one of the most dynamic skaters and uses his edges better than anyone. He is explosive off the mark and can change gears in mid stride. His one-on-one skills are impressive and help him make many a defender look silly. Hayden is a team-player with great vision and playmaking abilities. He is always looking to set up teammates when the opportunity arises. He has a very high hockey I.Q. and is always in the right spot at the right time.

The Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds selected Fowler with the 19^th overall pick at the 2017 Priority Selection.

Fowler would skate for the Greyhounds out of camp during the 2017-2018 season and in 33 games scored twice while assisting on two others. Not quite the start he was hoping for. But on January 6, 2018, the Greyhounds sent Fowler to the Erie Otters along with 9 draft picks for Jordan Sambrook and Taylor Raddysh, and the rest is history.

Fowler had a breakout of sorts following the trade, getting more ice time and playing higher on the depth chart that wasn’t going to happen with a Greyhounds squad with championship aspirations. Fowler would go on to skate in 28 games that season for the Otters, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists.

Last season was a down year for Fowler. The major reason was a clavicle injury that cost him 3 months on the shelf. With a September 24, 2001 birthdate, Fowler missed being eligible for the 2019 draft by just 9 days. That may have been a blessing in disguise since missing that much time would have caused him to drop at the draft, and despite scoring 8 goals and 10 assists in 25 games, no one knows just how far he would have dropped.

Fowler took on a larger role this season, including a leadership role as he was named an Alternate Captain in Erie. He appeared in 52 games reaching the 20-goal plateau while also assisting on 22.

There is not much to add to OHL Central Scouting’s scouting report from 3 years ago. Finding consistency has got to be the top priority. When Fowler is on his game skating, taking on defenders one-on-one, setting up teammates for scoring opportunities or unleashing an underrated shot, then it shows he can be a player at the NHL level. But sometimes that consistency is lacking, not just game-to-game, but at times shift-to-shift.

There is no questioning Fowler is an extremely talented hockey player that possesses the tools along with the toolbox. Finding that consistency will be key in how far he can go at the next level.