GRAND FORKS, N.D.-- Former UND forward Dixon Bowen has signed a professional contract with Rovaniemen Kiekko, a team that competes in the Mestis hockey league in Finland. Bowen recently completed his four-year career at North Dakota, scoring 17 goals and adding 15 assists in his 131 games.
 
This past season, the East Grand Forks, Minn., produced a career-best 11 points on six goals and five assists. He was also a career-best plus-seven rating and took just five penalties all season. His senior year jumpstarted quickly with a pair of goals in the season-opening 5-0 win over Canisius (Oct. 11) and he finished the campaign with a pair of assists in the similar 5-0 blanking at Omaha in the season finale.
 
"Excited for this great opportunity," Bowen said. "Thanks to the coaching staff at UND for preparing me for my professional career. I want to thank Pekka Kankaanranta and Coach Santeri Immonen for bringing me aboard as we try to win a Mestis hockey League championship for RoKi this season. I look forward to a great experience here in Finland to continue to play in front of passionate hockey fans!"
 
Bowen, son of former UND letterwinner (1983-87) and assistant coach (1997-2000) Jeff Bowen, was a key contributor to last season's NCHC Penrose Cup-winning squad. He becomes the fourth member of last season's league champions to sign a professional deal, following Cole Smith (Nashville Predators), Colton Poolman (Calgary Flames) and Westin Michaud (Winnipeg Jets system).