Background
Dowell grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and played for Memorial High School in Eau Claire for two seasons, totaling 90 points.
Dowell grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and played for Memorial High School in Eau Claire for two seasons, totaling 90 points.
University of Wisconsin–Madison.
In both seasons, Dowell helped lead the Old Abes to sectional championships and state tournament berths. Dowell left Memorial High School to be a part of the United States of America Hockey U-18 Developmental Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the year 2001. Dowell was selected in the fifth round of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Dowell signed a contract with Chicago in July 2007.
Dowell broke his foot the next game, but recovered from the injury to play 17 more games in the 2007-2008 season. Dowell was only called up to play in one contest in the 2008-2009 season.
He was on the Blackhawks active roster against Vancouver and Detroit in the playoffs, but he did not play. During the 2009-2010 season, Dowell played three games for the Hawks.
On July 1, 2011, the Dallas Stars announced that the club had agreed to terms with center Dowell on a one-year contract worth $800,000.
During the 2011-2012 season, Dowell played in 52 games contributing with 2 goals and 7 points. On July 4, 2012, Dowell signed a two-year free agent contract with the Minnesota Wild. Over the duration of his contract with the Wild, Dowell amassed just 3 games, whilst primarily playing with AHL affiliates, the Houston Aeros and the Iowa Wild.
On July 28, 2014, Dowell signed a one-year free agent contract with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.
On August 31, 2015, Dowell signed a professional tryout contract in returning to attend the Rockford IceHogs training camp for the 2015-2016 season. After 5 games with the IceHogs on October 22, 2015, Dowell was signed to an AHL contract to continue in Rockford for the remainder of the season.
The Dowells have teamed with many Eau Claire businesses, Clear Channel Radio and WEAU-television to host fundraisers to battle the disease.