Standing 6'5" and weighing 212 lbs., left-winger Joe Kowal was an intimidating sight in the 1970s. His NHL career consisted of 22 games over two seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, but he was also a fine junior and effective forward in the AHL.
Kowal played with Whitby Knob Hills Farms before joining the Oshawa Generals of the OHA in 1974-75. He split his junior career between the Gens and the Hamilton Fincups and registered 79 points in his second year. His size and decent scoring touch impressed many teams and the Buffalo Sabres made him their first pick, 33rd overall, in the 1976 Amateur Draft.
Kowal spent most of his first two pro seasons in the minors but did play 22 contests for the Sabres, recording five assists. Buffalo was blessed with a fair bit of talent at forward around this time and, when no other team showed interest, Kowal resigned himself to playing in the minors for a few years. Along the way he suited up for Springfield, Binghamton, Rochester, and Nova Scotia in the AHL before calling its quits in 1981.
