Bouwmeester experienced a break-out season after the NHL resumed play in 2005-06, scoring 5 goals, 41 assists and 46 points in 82 games, all career highs,[REF] and was invited to join Team Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in the place of injured defenceman Scott Niedermayer [REF].
He again appeared in all 82 games for the Panthers in 2006-07 and set a new career high with 12 goals [REF].