It’s the end of an era.

It’s one of them days you hope never comes along but you know will eventually arrive.  Yesterday, Jason Bowen, one of the last remaining original Giants players called it a day on his career.

It was a career that spanned from the junior leagues in Western Canada all the way up to the NHL via a first round draft pick with Philadelphia and eventually all the way here to Belfast where he played for 5 of the past 6 seasons.

He leaves only Todd Kelman now as the last remaining Giant from their first season back in 2000.

In the five of six seasons Bowsey played in Belfast (missing just one season in 02-03) the big man played 261 games for the team (good for 4th all-time), scoring 30 goals and 50 assists while picking up 627 penalty minutes (good for 2nd all-time).  It’s not the numbers however that he will be remembered for but more the big hits, the big games, and the entertainment value he brought to the game..  It’s what made him a fan favourite.

Bowsey was one of nearly everybody’s personal all-time favourite Giants players and it’s certainly sad to see him go.  The man was one of the best body checkers I have had the pleasure of watching and he always new how to step it up come the big playoff games.  Nobody got time to stand in front of the Giants goal when Bowen was on the ice.

Last year Bowen had one of his best years with the team and so it will be a suprise to many that he has decided to call it a day.  He always said however that if he wasn’t re-signed by Belfast he would be retiring to something else in the city he now calls home, and so with no new contract forthcoming it was always going to be.  Still at the end of last season many would have had him down as one of the first to be re-signed after some terrific performances during the year but it wasn’t to be.

Bowsey definitely deserves a proper send-off and should be invited onto the ice during one of the games early this coming season to be presented with some sort of reward and get his due recognition from the fans.

He’s the big presence on and off the ice that every team craves.  I know I’m speaking for everyone when I say I’ll miss the big man.  Good luck Bowsey with the new career here in Belfast away from the rink…  Certainly a Giants legend for life.

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