Brett Howden

Last updated

Brett Howden
Adam Fox, Ryan Strome, and Brett Howden.jpg
Howden with the New York Rangers in 2019
Born (1998-03-29) March 29, 1998 (age 27)
Oakbank, Manitoba, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 193 lb (88 kg; 13 st 11 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams
Vegas Golden Knights
New York Rangers
NHL draft 27th overall, 2016
Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career 2017present

Brett Howden (born March 29, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Howden was drafted 27th overall in the 2016 NHL entry draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Howden is a Stanley Cup champion, having won with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.

Contents

Playing career

Junior

On June 25, 2016, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Howden with the 27th overall pick in the 2016 NHL entry draft. In the season leading up to the NHL draft, Howden recorded 24 goals and 40 assists over 68 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Howden finished fourth on the team in goals and points, and also added four goals and 11 assists in 15 postseason games, which included four-straight multi-point games in the first round against the Prince Albert Raiders. In addition, Howden was named the Warriors' Rookie of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player during his rookie year in 2014–15. Howden has played two seasons with Lightning forward Brayden Point. Howden said that the team's familiarity with Point and their scouting of Moose Jaw played a role in their decision to select him. The team had spoken to Point about Howden leading up to the 2016 draft. [1]

On September 30, 2016, the Warriors named Howden the 31st captain in team history. [2] Howden previously served as alternate captain the previous season as a 17-year-old, and had also served as captain of Canada under-18 team, leading the team to a gold medal during the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. [2] Howden credited former Warriors captain, Point, with his growth as a leader on the team. [2]

On December 28, 2016, Howden signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. [3]

Professional

Howden with the Syracuse Crunch during the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs Brett Howden.jpg
Howden with the Syracuse Crunch during the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs

After the Moose Jaw Warriors were eliminated from the 2017 WHL playoffs, Howden joined the Syracuse Crunch on an amateur tryout (ATO) agreement. [4] On April 7, 2017, the Crunch's head coach, Benoit Groulx, announced that Howden would make his professional debut in a game against the Binghamton Senators. [5] On April 8, Howden scored his first professional goal in Crunch's 3–2 win against the Albany Devils. [6] On April 12, Howden recorded his first professional assist in a 7–2 win against the Utica Comets. [7]

On February 26, 2018, Howden was traded to the New York Rangers, along with Vladislav Namestnikov, Libor Hájek, and 2018 and 2019 draft picks, for Ryan McDonagh and J. T. Miller. [8]

Howden (left) battling for position against Tye Kartye of the Seattle Kraken during the 2024 Winter Classic. Winter Classic - Vegas Golden Knights at Seattle Kraken - January 1, 2024 - Tye Kartye and Brett Howden (53439910017).jpg
Howden (left) battling for position against Tye Kartye of the Seattle Kraken during the 2024 Winter Classic.

On July 17, 2021, Howden was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Nick DeSimone and a 2022 fourth-round pick. [9] During the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, he contributed five goals and five assists as the Golden Knights won their first Stanley Cup in team history. [10]

On November 22, 2024, during the 2024–25 season, and as a pending free agent, Howden signed a five-year extension with the Golden Knights, keeping him in Vegas through the 2029–30 season. [11]

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Men's ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2018 USA
World U18 Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2015 Switzerland
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Břeclav/Bratislava

On October 20, 2016, the Western Hockey League (WHL) announced its Team WHL roster for the 2016 CIBC Canada/Russia Series, which named Howden as one of its 12 forwards. [12]

On November 29, 2016, Howden was announced as one of the Canada junior team invitees for the 2016 World Junior Championships training camp where Howden was joined by five other Lightning prospects. [13] On December 13, 2016, Howden was released from the training camp as part of the initial roster cuts. [14]

On December 6, 2017, Howden was named to the 2018 World Junior Championships selection camp roster. [15]

Personal life

Howden's brother, Quinton, was selected 25th overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft by the Florida Panthers. [16]

Howden was one of 11 members involved in a group chat that discussed a 2018 incident, in which, a complainant, known as “E.M.”, alleged sexual assault by five members of the 2018 Canadian World Juniors team including Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote. He has testified in court as a witness present in the room when the alleged assault took place. No charges were brought against Howden. [17]

During the trial, Howden took the stand and was accused of "feigned memory loss" by the Crown, after several inconsistencies between his current testimony and prior statements on record. [18]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2013–14 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 51012
2014–15 Moose Jaw WarriorsWHL6822244624
2015–16 Moose Jaw WarriorsWHL682440646110411154
2016–17 Moose Jaw WarriorsWHL5838438173721312
2016–17 Syracuse Crunch AHL 5314230220
2017–18 Moose Jaw WarriorsWHL49245175421478158
2018–19 New York Rangers NHL 666172314
2019–20 New York RangersNHL70910192830004
2020–21 New York RangersNHL4216711
2021–22 Vegas Golden Knights NHL479112012
2022–23 Vegas Golden KnightsNHL5467135522551031
2023–24 Vegas Golden KnightsNHL72811193971120
2024–25 Vegas Golden KnightsNHL8023174046113034
NHL totals431627914120543961539

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2014 Canada White U17 5th52134
2015 Canada U18 Bronze medal icon.svg32130
2015 Canada IH18 Gold medal icon.svg40114
2016 CanadaU184th65388
2018 Canada WJC Gold medal icon.svg73474
Junior totals2512102220

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2023 [19]

References

  1. Burns, Bryan (June 25, 2016). "Lightning select Brett Howden with No. 27 pick at NHL Draft". Tampa Bay Lightning.com. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Howden Named Captain". mjwarriors.ca. September 30, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  3. Tampa Bay, Lightning (December 28, 2016). "Bolts sign Brett Howden to 3-year entry-level deal". Tampa Bay Lightning.com. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  4. "Three Lightning prospects eliminated from CHL playoffs could join Syracuse Crunch". Raw Charge. April 4, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  5. Kramer, Lindsay (April 7, 2017). "Top Tampa Bay prospect to make pro debut for Syracuse Crunch". Syracuse.com. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  6. Kramer, Lindsay (April 8, 2017). "Rookie's clutch goal moves Syracuse Crunch to brink of AHL playoff". Syracuse.com. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  7. "Crunch topple Comets, 7-2". syracusecrunch.com. Syracuse Crunch. April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  8. "Rangers Acquire Namestnikov, Hajek, Howden, 2018 1st Rd. Pick & 2019 Pick". NHL.com. February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  9. "Rangers acquire Goodrow, DeSimone in separate trades". TSN. July 17, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  10. Satriano, David (June 13, 2024). "How Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights were built". NHL.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  11. "Howden signs 5-year, $12.5 million contract with Golden Knights". NHL.com. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  12. Western Hockey, League (October 20, 2016). "Team WHL Roster Announced for 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series". Western Hockey League. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  13. Canadian, Press (November 29, 2016). "Team Canada unveils world junior selection camp roster". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  14. "Team Canada cuts four from WJC camp". TSN.ca. December 13, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  15. "Wide open competition for spots as Canada names WJC camp roster". TSN.com. The Sports Network. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  16. "Quinton Howden (Oakbank) Drafted 25th Overall by the Florida Panthers". hockeymanitoba.ca. Hockey Manitoba. June 25, 2010. Archived from the original on April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  17. Westhead, Rick (May 15, 2025). "Steenbergen details calls from Foote, Dube during Hockey Canada investigation". TSN.ca. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  18. Westhead, Rick (May 21, 2025). "Crown accuses Howden of 'feigned memory loss' at London hockey trial". TSN.ca. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  19. Brewer, Contessa (June 14, 2023). "Golden Knights' Stanley Cup win cements Las Vegas as a big-time sports city". CNBC. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Tampa Bay Lightning first round draft pick
2016
Succeeded by