Jim Dowd
Sport: Hockey
Born: December 25, 1968
Town: Brick
James Thomas Dowd was born December 25, 1968 in Brick. Jim was a right-handed center who starred for coach Bob Auriemma’s Brick High School Green Dragons. In Jim’s junior year, Brick won the state prep title. As a senior, he shattered the U.S. career high-school scoring record with 375 points on 189 goals and 186 assists. After graduation, the New Jersey Devils drafted Jim in the eighth round.
Rather than going pro, Jim accepted a scholarship to Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. In four years with the Lakers, Jim was a solid scorer and assist man. As a junior in 1989–90 he averaged two points a game and was a Second-Team All-American. As a senior, he was a First-Team All-American and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s 1991 Player of the Year.
The following year, Jim became the first New Jersey-born player to wear the Devil’s uniform. After spending the bulk of three seasons in the minors, Jim joined the Devils for the 1994 stretch run. He scored 15 points in 15 games at the end of the regular season and played well in the playoffs. One year later, the Devils made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Jim scored the game-winning goal in Game 2 against the Red Wings and New Jersey went on to sweep the series.
The following year Jim began a hockey odyssey that saw him play for nine different NHL organizations. He logged the most seasons, four, with the Minnesota Wild. In 2001–02 he had his best year, with 13 goals and 30 assists. In 2006–07, Jim returned to the Devils and promptly produced his first multi-goal game. Jim finished his NHL career as a penalty-killing forward with the Flyers.
After retiring, Jim got into coaching. He coaches the Red Bank Generals travel team and hosts events as part of his Shoot for the Stars Foundation.
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