Nicknamed "Fast Hands",[1] he was a member of the Ottawa RCAF Flyers, which won the gold medal in ice hockey representing Canada at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St.

Dowey served in the Canadian Army for two years,[3][5] and played for Barkers Hockey Club of the Toronto Mercantile League.

[3] He worked as a clerk and typist for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) at the time he was recruited to the national hockey team for the 1948 Winter Olympics.

[5] The original starting goalie, Dick Ball, failed a medical exam just two days before the team was to depart for the tournament.

[3][6] He was honoured by the Canadian Forces in 2001 when it was announced that the 1948 RCAF Flyers were selected as Canada's greatest military athletes of the 20th century.