Isaac Howard

July 2024 – After a mediocre first NCAA season playing for the University of Minnesota Duluth, Isaac transferred to Michigan State. In his second NCAA campaign, now with Michigan State, he led the team in points, helping them make a Quarter Finals appearance. Howard took a big step in his playmaking game with a team-leading 28 assists. While his playmaking has shined, his scoring seemingly took a backseat. Suiting up for Team USA at the World Juniors, he tied Jonathan Lekkerimäki for most goals in the tournament, putting any fears about scoring to rest. Development is progressing as hoped, and at a continued pace, he should not have an issue becoming a top-six player. Going into this season, Howard could have a shot at making the NHL roster this year, but odds are he’ll spend at least one more year in the NCAA. His long-term projection remains unchanged, and he should have no problems making the NHL in due time. Markus Roach

July 2022 – Howard has been selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning with the 31st overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

December 2021 – Howard spent most of last season with the U17 team and lit up the scoreboard to the tune of 27 goals and 27 assists in just 34 games. His exceptional play earned him 17 games with the U18 team and he scored above a point per game there as well. He has carried that over as a full-time member of the U18 team this season and leads the team in scoring through the early part of the season. Nick Richard

September 2021 – After spending two years lighting it up at Minnesota’s renowned Shattuck St. Mary’s, “Ike” Howard spent the 2020-21 season with the USNTDP U17 and U18 teams before participating in the U18 World Championships. USA was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the tournament but Howard had four points through five games. Howard posted stellar numbers with the U17s, scoring 27 goals and 27 assists in just 34 games. His play was good enough to earn a call up to the U18 team for the remainder of the season where he saw continued success. Tallying another five goals and 14 assists for 19 points in 17 games, Howard capped off an explosive draft-1 season. Howard will play for the USNTDP’s U18 team once again in 2021-22 before beginning his collegiate career at Minnesota-Duluth in 2022-23.

Isaac Howard is another American player in this draft that will be looking to prove himself worthy of being a top-10 selection in the 2022 NHL draft. After a successful first year with the program, Howard will be looking to take another step forward this season and there is no reason why he shouldn’t be able to. Howard is a very offensively gifted winger and offers a well-rounded skillset that makes him supremely dangerous. He is a strong skater with a great first step, displays good agility, and loves to drive at the opposition. He offers great playmaking skills and poses a scoring threat each time he has the puck. Howard does well to use his puck skills to open up shooting lanes or change the angle of the shooting lane which makes him difficult to get a read on. He has a shoot-first mentality but is not selfish and uses his vision and passing skills to find open teammates. He has a good motor and is aggressive on the forecheck, and though he sometimes lacks intensity in his own end, he does show good instincts and capabilities on defense. His puck skills are high-end and he is not afraid to try creative dekes at full speed during the course of play. His transitional play is impressive as he uses his speed and ability to read the ice, attacking weak areas to receive the puck or to allow other players to drift into the space he opened up. Howard is a dynamic offensive player with great speed and puck skills who has the potential to blossom into a productive first line winger in the NHL. Alexander Annun