It will be a couple of years before Dixon Bowen wears the UND uniform for the first time.
But when he does arrive, the East Grand Forks Senior High forward shouldn’t have any trouble fitting in.
“Everything about Dixon is Fighting Sioux hockey,” Senior High coach Tyler Palmiscno said. “He has an extremely professional approach both on and off the ice. He’s extremely dedicated. He’s a 200-foot player. He’s extremely responsible in all three zones and he’s developed into an explosive skater.”
Bowen, who led the Green Wave to their first state title last spring, verbally committed to UND on Sunday. He will soon join the program where his father, Jeff, won a national championship as both a player (1987) and an assistant coach (2000).
The scouting report on the younger Bowen is that he’s a strong, two-way and tenacious player. Although he’s not very big - he’s listed at 5-foot-11, 188 pounds - Bowen will mix it up with bigger players.
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Bowen missed the start of last season due to an injury, but was Senior High’s top scorer when he returned. He had 44 points in 21 games, including 17 points in six playoff contests. He had three points in the state championship victory.
This season, Bowen will return to the Green Wave for his senior year. He is playing with the Fargo Force in the United States Hockey League before and after the high school season.
“It was Dixon's decision to come back to high school,” Palmiscno said. “We’re extremely happy to have him back on our team as a leader and we’re excited to get going in a couple weeks.”
After graduation, Bowen is expected to play for Fargo until he’s ready for college hockey.
Bowen’s commitment continues UND’s recent run of landing local players. The team currently has two East Grand Forks players on the roster in Gage Ausmus and Tucker Poolman and three Grand Forks players in Luke Johnson, Paul LaDue and Johnny Simonson.
Keaton Thompson (Devils Lake), Zane McIntyre (Thief River Falls) and recruit Zach Yon (Roseau) also are from the area.
All of the local players have had success.
“It’s exciting for our program to be able to go watch Gage and Tucker and eventually Dixon at UND,” Palmiscno said. “It’s exciting for East Grand Forks hockey.”
