ANAHEIM – The NHL was tucked away in the back of Cam Fowler’s mind this time last year.

He was playing with his junior team, the Windsor Spitfires, and knew that a strong season would pay off come draft time.

But he didn’t really envision not only being up with an NHL team but having as big a role as he has had with the Ducks.

“I dreamed of it,” Fowler said. “It was obviously a huge goal of mine, but I don’t think I ever pictured that I’d be in this situation right now, being able to play on the first-unit power play and get the minutes that I’ve been able to get. It’s just awesome.”

The dream is now for the Ducks and Fowler, who turns 19 Sunday.

The defenseman is averaging more than 22 minutes a game and he entered Sunday tied for the NHL lead among rookie defensemen scoring with 12 points in 22 games.

Coach Randy Carlyle had toyed with using a fourth forward on the blue line on the first power play unit earlier in the season but ditched the idea when it was clear Fowler’s skills warranted a spot beside Lubomir Visnovsky.

Fowler has since been on the first unit with Visnovsky, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and usually Teemu Selanne. He played 3:19 on the power play on Friday and finished with four shots on goal.

“We have so many good players on that unit, so it makes it really easy to play with,” Fowler said.

“They’re always in the right position and they always make the right path. I think I’ve come to learn when it’s my opportunity to get a shot on net.”

Fowler learned firsthand Friday that a strong team game can still result in a loss, in that case a 4-0 setback against Detroit. That’s part of the learning process for a player still in his teenage years.

As for the big 1-9, Fowler said he would stick to his normal game day routine on his birthday. He wasn’t sure if his teammates might do anything to embarrass him, although team captain Getzlaf joked about a celebration afterward.

Said Getzlaf, “He should probably buy us dinner.”

LUPUL AWAITS RETURN

Joffrey Lupul returned to Anaheim but remained on the long-term injured list pending medical clearance.

Although he completed a three-game minor league conditioning assignment in Syracuse, Lupul must be cleared by team doctors to play in an NHL game.

He was expected to be examined late Saturday or Sunday, a club spokesman said. If he is cleared, the Ducks have not ruled out inserting Lupul into the lineup tonight or they would work him back in next week.

The Ducks are at the maximum roster limit of 23 and would have to re-assign another player or place someone on injured reserve to activate Lupul.

Lupul has sat out the past year because of back surgery and a subsequent blood infection. He played more than 22 minutes Friday and indications were that he held up physically.

“Everything’s fine so far,” Carlyle said.

Contact the writer: czupke@ocregister.com