TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – When Clayton Dowlan joined the Traverse City Hounds as a raw 16-year-old for the 2013-14 season, he consistently improved his game over the course of his first Midwest Junior Hockey League campaign.

The Traverse City native also matured on the ice and off, so when the Hounds were thin on defense midway through this season, Dowlan stepped up and moved back to the blue line.

It’s been a seamless transition to say the least. Dowlan was even named MWJHL Defenseman of the Week back on Jan. 6.

“I chose to come back to the Hounds this season because I just wanted to play at home again,” Dowlan said. “When I switched to ‘D,’ it was a very good move for me and I think I have a strong work ethic to do it. I feel like I'm stronger on the ice over the past two years.”

This year, Dowlan has 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 29 games, on the heels of a five-point year in 2013-14.

Personal numbers aside, Dowlan sees this year’s Hounds’ team, which clinched first overall for the third season in a row after beating the Decatur Blaze last Friday night, as peaking at the right time.

“The team this year is better because we communicate better on and off the ice,” said Dowlan. “We also mesh better together as a team. All of our volunteers, management, coaching staff and our diehard fans make it worthwhile to play here.”

Still just a senior in high school, Dowlan has several years of junior hockey eligibility left and sees two options on the table for the 2015-16 season.

“If I don't get picked up by a college team next year, I will be more than happy to come back to the TC Hounds,” said Dowlan.

Traverse City (34-2-1-2) travels to play the Detroit Fighting Irish this weekend at the Ice Box Sports Center in Brownstown, Mich. Game times are 8:10 p.m. on Friday 3:10 p.m. on Saturday and 1:10 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

All games this weekend will be broadcast on www.fasthockey.com.

Photo/Rich Meuser