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Jim Dowd enjoyed a long and illustrious career on the ice before his retirement at the end of the 2008/2009 season. He spent 18 years in the NHL, where his reputation as a fundamentally sound player and real student of the game made him a coach’s dream. His insight on the ice and veteran leadership in the locker room made him the ideal solution to bring teams in transition together. As a result, Jim played for, and became a valuable asset to, 10 NHL teams throughout his career, which included winning the Stanley Cup with his hometown New Jersey Devils. Dowd was known as an underdog his entire life and used a tenacious blue-collar work ethic synonymous with his native state of New Jersey to beat the odds and become a champion. He grew up playing hockey in Brick, NJ, which was hardly a hotbed for the sport. His life at home was extremely tumultuous so Dowd sought refuge through playing hockey. He spent countless hours tirelessly skating and practicing at the local rink to avoid being home. It didn’t take long for Jim to begin causing a stir and people all over NJ to start to take notice of his scoring prowess. With each passing year Dowd continued his onslaught, breaking record after record and subsequently drawing more attention to the sport of hockey throughout the Garden State. In his junior year, Jim led his high school to a state championship, and in his senior year, he gained national notoriety for surpassing every scoring record in NJ, and shattering the national scholastic scoring record by compiling a remarkable 189 goals and 186 assists. As a result of his amazing accomplishments, Dowd was inducted into the Brick Township High School Wall of Fame in 2005. However, even after all of his success he still did not get the immediate respect he deserved, due largely to the fact that New Jersey lacked the rich hockey tradition found in other regions of the country. Despite all his success, he only received one scholarship offer. Jim, already accustomed to being overlooked, relished the opportunity to play for Lake Superior State University and went off to college with a huge chip on his shoulder, once again ready to prove the hockey experts wrong. While at Lake Superior State University, Dowd continued to establish himself as one of the elite in his sport. During his tenure he helped lead his team to a Collegiate National Championship in 1988 and was named to the NCAA All-American and CCHA All-Star Hockey Teams for two consecutive years. In 1991, Jim, the consummate underdog, again proved all the naysayers wrong when he was chosen as the CCHA Player of the Year, and runner-up for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the nation’s best collegiate hockey player. Jim is Lake Superior State’s all-time leading scorer, and in the summer of 2010, will be inducted into his alma mater’s Hall of Fame. Dowd was drafted 149th overall in the 1987 NHL Draft by his home state New Jersey Devils, making him the first New Jersey native to play for the Devils. When Dowd made his pro debut during the 1991/92 season he would silence his critics once and for all. On that day it seemed as if the entire state of New Jersey was on hand to show support for their hometown hero. The sold out crowd roared as they witnessed Dowd defy the odds and accomplish his dream. His Cinderella story would later come full circle and become a part of history when the New Jersey Devils won their first Stanley Cup Championship in 1995, with a big boost from Dowd, who scored the winning goal in Game 2 against the Detroit Red Wings. Hollywood could not have scripted Jim’s story any better. Dowd is a true student of hockey, staying dialed into today’s game and today’s players. His personal experience is complemented by the knowledge gained from skating alongside hundreds of teammates throughout his career, including some of the sport’s greatest legends. Having played for ten different NHL teams, Jim brings unique insight as to the diverse coaching techniques and strategies used in the game today, allowing him to be a shrewd and comprehensive analyst. Dowd is currently working as the host of “Ice Breakers,” a sports, entertainment and lifestyle show on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio with fellow NJ Devils great Ken Daneyko. He also does color commentary for MSG Varsity Network’s high school hockey coverage and serves as an analyst and host for The Fourth Period’s TFP Today. Jim appears on the NHL Network's Radio Show, NHL Live! as a featured analyst and as a featured hockey insider every Thursday night on The Ferrall Show on Howard 101, both on Sirius/XM radio. Since his retirement, Jim has remained very active in the community. The Jim Dowd Shoot for the Stars Foundation, now in its 16th year, sponsors an annual high school hockey all-star game that has raised thousands of dollars for local families and youth organizations in need. In 2009, Jim was honored by the Boys & Girls Club in New Jersey as the Humanitarian of the Year for his outstanding service. That year, he was also inducted into the New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame and the New Jersey High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. Dowd currently resides in New Jersey with his wife, Lisa. They have two sons, James Jr. and Anthony. Jim enjoys spending time with his sons and coaching James Jr.’s youth hockey team. |
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