Jay Bouwmeester is a Canadian defenseman on the Florida Panthers.

Bouwmeester was drafted 3rd overall by Florida in 2002. He has been the star defenseman on the team since his debut the same year. He has played in all 82 games in every season except 2003-04. His best statistical season was in 2005-06, when he finished with 5 goals and 46 points. He set a career high in goals last season with 15, finishing with 37 points, as well. He will most likely be named team captain, since Olli Jokinen was traded to Phoenix this offseason.

Bouwmeester has played for Team Canada a number of times in his career. He won gold medals at the 2003 and 2004 World Championships, as well as the 2004 World Cup. He won a silver medal at the 2002 World Junior Championships, and bronze medals at the 2000 and 2001 Junior tournaments. He also played at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2008 World Championships.