Basketball ends for Alabama, but Nic Dowd keeps hockey going

The professional basketball season for Alabama has officially come to a close following the New York Knicks' 130-93 sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs on Monday night. With the loss, Crimson Tide alumnus and Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis became the final player out of the 23 athletes from Alabama high schools and colleges to wrap up their 2025-26 campaign.

Dowd Chasing Hockey History

While the hardwood season is over, the ice remains hot for Alabama. Huntsville native Nic Dowd is currently on the doorstep of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Finals. His Vegas Golden Knights enter Tuesday night's matchup holding a commanding series lead, looking to complete a sweep of the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals.

Now in his 11th NHL season, Dowd has achieved a career milestone by pushing past the second round of the playoffs for the first time. Reflecting on the journey, Dowd noted after Game 1, "It’s a privilege to come in and do this every single day, and kind of towards the end of my career here and I just want to enjoy every second of it."

A Versatile Asset in Vegas

Since joining the Golden Knights in a trade-deadline move on March 5 following 55 games with the Washington Capitals, Dowd has made an immediate impact. Playing on the fourth line, he has already recorded three goals this postseason, including one in Vegas' 4-2 opening-game victory against Colorado.

Head coach John Tortorella, who took the reins late in the season, has praised the Huntsville native as a "glue guy." Tortorella added, "He does all the utility stuff in faceoffs, penalty killing, blocking shots, wall play. He’s a bit of a character in the room... He’s good for a team."

Dowd expressed his gratitude for the seamless transition to the Vegas locker room, noting, "The biggest thing I was kind of concerned about was I’d been in an organization and around guys that kind of allowed me to be my peculiar self for eight years... these guys were awesome, and they welcomed me in and allowed me to be myself."

Historic Stakes

Should the Golden Knights secure another win, Dowd will become the first player with Alabama ties to ever reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Other Alabama-connected players like former UAH goalie Cam Talbot and UAH standout Jared Ross have enjoyed lengthy professional careers, but none reached the final round. Additionally, Alabama-born defenseman Aud Tuten played for the Chicago Blackhawks in the early 1940s but never made a postseason appearance.

The Golden Knights are set to take on the Avalanche at 8 p.m. CDT Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena, with the game broadcast on ESPN.