Kale Howarth

March 2021 – Howarth’s game is highly imposing as he makes the opposition feel his physicality on a nightly basis. He is likely to be a contributor for peripheral categories (hits, blocks, PIM) if he makes the NHL, but will face struggles making it that far without adding more offensive flair to his game as he only has seven points through 18 games in the NCAA this year at the age of 23. Sam McGilligan

November 2019 – It’s been a decent start for the Red Deer native in his sophomore season with the University of Connecticut Huskies (NCAA). Through six games, he has chipped in for two goals and two assists. This is an improvement from last season as he managed only 11 points in 2018-19. He is currently centering the team’s third line, so you could see some added production should he crack a top-six role at any point this season. The 2017 fifth-round pick has yet to sign a contract with the Jackets so until he puts the pen to a piece of paper, his fantasy upside is still up in the air.  Dave Hall

June 2019 – Howarth finished his freshman season at UConn (NCAA) with 11 points in 32 games. The 21-year-old is without a contract so his future with the Blue Jackets organization is no certainty. Regardless of where he plays, he is a long-term prospect with little to no fantasy relevance. Frank Pellegrini

December 2018 – Howarth is playing in his first season with the University of Connecticut (U-Conn) of the NCAA. The freshman has not lit the scoresheet on fire to date as he has only managed four points in 17 games. At 6-5 and over 200 pounds, he definitely has NHL-size but he is raw and needs much more development. Committing to U-Conn will afford him the time to do that. He is currently without a contract and does not carry any fantasy value. Frank Pellegrini

February 2018 – Following a three-game suspension earlier this month for his third blow to the head infraction this campaign, Howarth returned to the Smoke Eaters still second in the BCHL with a 1.41 points-per-game average. In his last year with Trail prior joining the University of Connecticut Huskies for 2018-19, Howarth’s squad is prepping for the postseason with a 31-18-4-1 record and just four games left on the regular schedule. Kevin Wickersham

December 2017 – Howarth continues to wreck the BCHL with a league-leading 1.54 points-per-game average. Racking up 15 goals and 25 assists in 26 contests (including three goals and nine assists on the power play) the large, left-shot forward from Red Deer looks a lock to smash his already impressive 59 point total of 2016-17. Kevin Wickersham

October 2017 – Named BCHL Player of the Week, Howarth has led the Trail Smoke Eaters to a surprising top-20 ranking in the CJHL this young campaign. He’s registered ten goals and six assists in eight contests including a hat trick against the Chilliwack Chiefs as Trail currenly enjoys a five-game win streak, resting just two points out of the division lead. Kevin Wickersham

July 2017 – Howarth is a massive center who made an equally huge leap in production for the Junior A British Columbia League’s Trail Smoke Eaters (best name in hockey) last year, totaling 30 goals and 28 assists in 51 contests, more than doubling his 27-point 2015-16. His offense relies upon powering through opponents to create quality chances, and Howarth will need to add to his game to better succeed against larger, more skilled Hockey East defenders at U Conn to whom he is committed, and beyond. A late bloomer who reached his current size after a prodigious teenage growth-spurt, he’s still working on his game and growing into his skin. Howarth displays a high hockey IQ. His overall skating agility and speed, puck handing, and defensive skills need refinement. This was his third year eligible for the NHL draft, and he earlier went undrafted by the WHL as well. Kevin Wickersham