He played for Brown University from 1974 to 1978. Undrafted in the NHL, he was signed as a free agent by the New York Rangers in 1978 and spent the next four seasons splitting time between the Rangers and the minor pros. In 1982 he was picked up by the St. Louis Blues and was a regular for them until 1986 when he was traded to the Hartford Whalers. Bothwell was traded back to the Blues at the beginning of the 1986-87 season and stayed with them through 1988-89. He retired in 1990. Bothwell played in 502 NHL games, scoring 28 goals and 93 assists.