Rene Bourque Sent Down By Montreal Canadiens, Drayson Bowman Recalled

After Rene Bourque cleared waivers and was sent to the Hamilton Bulldogs this afternoon, the Montreal Canadiens have announced they recalled Drayson Bowman from the American Hockey League affiliate this evening.

Bourque has struggled through most of his Habs career, which has spanned parts of the past four seasons, and was finally waived and sent down today. The big winger had zero goals and just two assists in the Canadiens first 11 games this season. he was a healthy scratch the past two contests, and will now pack his bags for the minor leagues.

Oct 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Montreal Canadiens center Joonas Nattinen (28) is congratulated for scoring a goal by left wing Drayson Bowman (96) during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Montreal won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Bowman was brought up by the Habs on Saturday, before being sent back down to the Bulldogs yesterday. He continues his roller coaster few days by returning to the Canadiens team again today.

Bowman has played 176 career games in the NHL, all with the Carolina Hurricanes after being selected in the third round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He scored four goals and 12 points in 70 games with the Hurricanes last season, and has two goals and six points in 11 games with the Bulldogs this season.

Bowman was signed to a one year, two way deal by the Habs in the summer and has already passed through waivers before the season started. He could have been called up just because he can easily be moved back and forth, which will result in him sitting in the press box.

However, Bowman is a veteran NHL player and had a very strong training camp with the Habs. He could have impressed the Habs management staff enough to earn himself a few games while Travis Moen takes a seat.

With Rene Bourque gone, there is an opening on the Habs third line that is currently occupied by Brandon Prust. Prust is more of a fourth line winger at this point in his career, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bowman get a chance to play alongside Lars Eller and Jiri Sekac in the near future.