Cape Breton Screaming Eagles top draft pick does not report at camp

Some Quebec League franchises, like the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, opened their training camps Monday, with dozens of young players looking to make the team.

However, for the third straight year, the Eagles’ top pick did not show up for camp.

Shane Bowers, a 16-year-old from Halifax, was drafted fourth overall by Cape Breton, but has decided not to report to the team.

Instead, Bowers is set to play south of the boarder in the United States Hockey League, the top tier of junior hockey in the U.S.

“Following the draft his family, grandparents included, came to our reception at the hotel and he was wearing our jersey, seemed very happy. He told three different media in the Maritimes that he was going to report and there was no problem reporting to Cape Breton,” says Marc Andre Dumont, Eagles head coach.

Former Eagle Joey Haddad now plays in the British Elite League. Haddad says he is surprised Bowers has decided to not to report to the Eagles, an organization, he says, always provides for their players.

“It's been seven years since I played for the Eagles. I probably knew players seven years before I played and they all say the same thing. Everybody who plays in Cape Breton loves their time here,” says Haddad.

In 2011, the Baie Comeau Drakkar dealt with a similar situation. Their draft pick, Nathan MacKinnon hinted to the team that he may take the NCAA route. Shortly after, Baie Comeau traded MacKinnon to Halifax. Dumont says that's not going to happen with Bowers.

“We have absolutely no intentions of trading Shane. He's too good a player for us. He's a franchise player,” says Dumont.

For fans, it's all too familiar territory. This is the third straight year a top pick has decided not to play for their hometown team.

“The fan base is pretty frustrated, he's a key guy that we’re losing,” says Eagles fan Brent Deseveaux.

When asked if the Q-League needs to be tougher on players not reporting, Dumont said that's a debate for the league and, for now, he will focus on those who did attend camp.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore