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Real expectations for forward Brett Howden

By Jason Katinas

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 03: Brett Howden #21 of the New York Rangers celebrates the game winning goal at 15:51 of the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Madison Square Garden on October 03, 2019 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Jets 6-4. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 03: Brett Howden #21 of the New York Rangers celebrates the game winning goal at 15:51 of the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Madison Square Garden on October 03, 2019 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Jets 6-4. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Brett Howden  (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

Moose Jaw Warriors, The World Juniors and  the 2016 Draft

After a full year in Juniors, at the age of 17, Howden represented Canada in two international tournaments. The first by winning bronze at the Word Juniors IIHF under-18 Championships in April 2015, where he scored five goals and eight points in six games. Then winning gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in August of that same year, where he contributed one assist over four games.

Howden would follow up this international play by continuing his Junior career as a member of the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors. He posted 64 points, including 24 goals in 68 games played. His points total was good for 50th overall in the league and seventh best among 17 year olds. In the WHL playoffs that season, Howden would post 15 points in 10 games, tied for second on the team. The Moose Jaw Warriors would fall in the second round to the eventual WHL champions the Brandon Wheat Kings.

His performances internationally and for the WHL throughout the 2015-16 playing season were timely. 2016 was Howden’s draft year. He would not go unnoticed. The Tampa Bay Lightning would choose the Manitoba native with their first round pick, 27th overall.

In the following WHL season (2016-17) Howden would be named the Moose Jaw Warriors team captain. He would post 81 points, including 38 goals in 58 games. His points total ranked him 23rd in the league overall and eighth among 18 year olds. Howden would also add three points in seven playoff games as the Moose Jaw Warriors were upset in the first round by the Swift Current Broncos.

The following season (2017-18), Moose Jaw would finish first in their division. Howden would post 75 points (39th overall) including 24 goals in only 49 games as a 19 year old. He would add 15 points in 14 playoff games before the Broncos would again upset the Warriors, this time in the second round.

That same year Howden would again represent Canada in international play.  Winning Gold at the 2017 World Junior Championships. He would score three goals and seven points in seven games to contribute to the gold medal effort.

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