F Isaac Howard - Michigan State, NCAA (2022, 31st, TBL)

[sigx15]

Jake Wise


Haha. I nailed it.

Awesome to see, great move.

Ya this one seemed pretty set in stone from the start. They're making a big push for Colangelo as well. Will be interesting if they can land him too

 

[BKarchitect]

This deserves a bump...

Howard has bounced back in a huge way this year with MSU. After scoring a disappointing 17 points in 35 games as a 5-star freshman with UMD, he's got 16 points in only 14 games with the Spartans.

His speed and experience as an '04 should give him a good shot at a top-9 role on a loaded Team USA at the WJCs this winter.

He's also a very clear example of not to stat-watch at the NCAA level too much in terms of a comparative analysis which people love, love to do here. The NCAA is such a huge entity with so many teams, so many styles and such varied level of QoC from game to game - even more so than other junior leagues, a pure counting stat-based analysis of player used in a comparative manner is such a poor, surface-level tool. I cringe when I see people touting NHLe projections based on NCAA stats. Scott Sandelin built a power in Duluth but it was heavily based on gritty defensive play with tons of upper classmen. Howard had a bad 22-23 but more importantly as a freshman he was a bad fit in Duluth. He didn't suddenly get talent he didn't have, he was a first round pick. His situation changed.

It may be a cautionary tale not to completely write-off guys like Charlie Stramel (though don't get me wrong - I am worried about his situation). Or to crown "prospect X" as the "best NHL prospect since/ever..." just because you see their EP stats and a twitter/X sizzle reel with zero context.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

He's quite interesting to me. Visually, he doesn't do anything extremely well and his defense is average at best. But he always seems to find the right places on the ice and produces. I was high on him after watching him at the 2022 U18. Glad to see he's at State playing well after UMD being a horrible fit for both parties. Probably a 2nd liner who finishes on chances that Point and Kucherov give him.

 

[person5000]

He is a long shot at top 6. Career ahler.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

He is a long shot at top 6. Career ahler.

Why do you say that?

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Kid is a stud, finds ways to score

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Very excited to see if he can take another step or if he's destined to be a tweener once he hits pro.

 

[MNRube]

Very excited to see if he can take another step or if he's destined to be a tweener once he hits pro.

3rd line scoring sparkplug

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Hope we get him signed after State is done (potential Frozen Four run for the Spartans).

 

[Hockeyville USA]

OT winner and 2 points tonight in State's OT win over Wisconsin

 

[Hockeyville USA]

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

How much has Howard benefited playing with Stramel and vice versa?

Are they legitimate NHL prospects or dominating college hockey competition?

 

[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.

 

[BKarchitect]

Ike is blistering hot. Now leads the entire NCAA in goals, points and points-per-game. He needs more love as an exciting prospect.

It hasn't been easy for Tampa to establish quality scoring depth with that top-heavy line-up, Howard should get an immediate look once he signs IMO.

 

[57special]

Huge turnaround for him, and to a lesser extent, Stramel.

 

[boltsfan86]

Iceman for Hobey

 

[CaviarAndRinkFries]