Prospect Info: 2022 31st Overall Pick | LW Isaac Howard

[These Are The Days]

I don't know for the life of me why Howard didn't just go to Michigan

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I don't know for the life of me why Howard didn't just go to Michigan

Go listen to his interview on Everything College Hockey's Pucks in Deep podcast. He said he didn't want to go to a B1G school where football and basketball are more popular than hockey, so his top 2 schools were Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota. He failed to realize that UMD's playing style favors mostly defensive gritty veterans over elite skill, so it was a terrible fit for him and the UMD Bulldogs.

He transferred to Michigan State because his NTDP coach, Adam Nightingale, became the Spartans head coach, whom Howard thrived under at the NTDP.

 

[These Are The Days]

Go listen to his interview on Everything College Hockey's Pucks in Deep podcast. He said he didn't want to go to a B1G school where football and basketball are more popular than hockey, so his top 2 schools were Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota. He failed to realize that UMD's playing style favors mostly defensive gritty veterans over elite skill, so it was a terrible fit for him and the UMD Bulldogs.

He transferred to Michigan State because his NTDP coach, Adam Nightingale, became the Spartans head coach, whom Howard thrived under at the NTDP.

His choice I guess. Michigan probably has had arguably best hockey program in the country for like 4 or 5 years now from both a talent and development standpoint regardless of how much they like other sports. Michigan State may be even more ironic because every March literally no one cares about hockey and all eyeballs are on basketball. Reuniting with his coach has to be the motive here. His university liking other sports makes no sense in the state of Michigan period.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

His choice I guess. Michigan probably has had arguably best hockey program in the country for like 4 or 5 years now from both a talent and development standpoint regardless of how much they like other sports. Michigan State may be even more ironic because every March literally no one cares about hockey and all eyeballs are on basketball. Reuniting with his coach has to be the motive here. His university liking other sports makes no sense in the state of Michigan period.

Not sure why you're arguing with his personal decision when he was 16. He wanted to go somewhere where hockey was 1st and foremost. He did. It wasn't a good fit at all from a development standpoint. He then went where his junior coach was, pretty simple.

 

[These Are The Days]

Not sure why you're arguing with his personal decision when he was 16. He wanted to go somewhere where hockey was 1st and foremost. He did. It wasn't a good fit at all from a development standpoint. He then went where his junior coach was, pretty simple.

At 16? They offered him a scholarship at that age? Sheesh. Well we agree it made sense to leave and it was clearly the right choice. I'm anxious to see how he pans out in Syracuse.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

At 16? They offered him a scholarship at that age? Sheesh. Well we agree it made sense to leave and it was clearly the right choice. I'm anxious to see how he pans out in Syracuse.

Most top end guys commit after their sophomore year of HS going into their junior year, as they've played a ton of high end AAA minor hockey or prep school hockey, so they commit then.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

2 goals on Saturday in State's 5-3 win over Minnesota

 

[Lightning1995]

I don’t know how all this works with drafting and signing college players but I sure hope this doesn’t turn into another Sammy Walker situation

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I don’t know how all this works with drafting and signing college players but I sure hope this doesn’t turn into another Sammy Walker situation

As long as we sign him after State is done this year and give him NHL games to end the regular season, it won't turn into another Walker/Guttman situation. Also, Howard is so so much better than both of those guys combined, so I'd guess our management staff isn't worried about getting him signed provided we guarantee him the minimum

 

[LTIR Trickery]

I get the impression he'd want to sign and play here based on his interviews, and honestly if he can handle the physical side of the game in college he can probably jump right into the NHL.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Gonna be nice seeing him in our middle 6 to end the season and give us a different look:

 

[RussianGuyovich]

nice to see the goals start happening for howard since we could use a goals guy

 

[Hockeyville USA]

33 points in 22 games played. Fully in the race for the Hobey Baker. Cannot wait to get this guy signed & in our lineup.

 

[Lightning1995]

Get this kid signed and get him in the lineup then minute MSU is eliminated

 

[JTBF81]

Get this kid signed and get him in the lineup then minute MSU is eliminated

He's not the answer for this season most likely (but should be a big factor next year). Getting two currently injured top 4 dmen back and acquiring a couple of forwards (preferably a 2nd line RW and a 3rd line grinder will give the team the roster they'll likely move their chips in with for the stretch run and playoffs.

 

[Lightning1995]

He's not the answer for this season most likely (but should be a big factor next year). Getting two currently injured top 4 dmen back and acquiring a couple of forwards (preferably a 2nd line RW and a 3rd line grinder will give the team the roster they'll likely move their chips in with for the stretch run and playoffs.

Off topic but I’m fine with a long term addition to improve the team. There’s work to be done, even if it’s costly (not Jennot costly). No rentals, this team can’t win in division…..waste of assets