Isaac Howard

Isaac Howard
Howard playing with the Michigan State Spartans in March 2024 at the Kohl Center
Born	(2004-03-30) March 30, 2004 (age 20) Hudson, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NCAA team	Michigan State University
NHL draft	31st overall, 2022 Tampa Bay Lightning

Isaac Howard (born March 30, 2004) is an American college ice hockey left wing for Michigan State University of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was drafted 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Howard competed at the 2022 BioSteel All-American Game. ^[1] He was drafted in the first round, 31st overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. ^[2]

College

Howard began his college ice hockey for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs during the 2022–23 season. During his freshman season he recorded six goals and 11 assists in 35 games. ^[3]

On March 25, 2023, Howard announced he would transfer to Michigan State University for the 2023–24 season. During his sophomore year he recorded eight goals and 28 assists in 36 games. ^[4]

During the 2024–25 season, in his junior year, he recorded 26 goals and 25 assists in 36 games. During conference play he led the Big Ten in scoring with 16 goals and 17 assists in 24 games. ^[5] Following the season he was named the Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Player of the Year and the Big Ten Scoring Champion. ^[6] He was also named a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. ^[7] During the 2025 Big Ten men's ice hockey tournament, he recorded three goals and two assists in two games, including the game-winning goal in double-overtime to help Michigan State win their second consecutive Big Ten men's ice hockey tournament championship. He was subsequently named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and Big Ten Tournament MVP. ^[8]

International play

Howard at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics
Medal record
Representing   United States
Ice hockey
Youth Olympic Games
	2020 Lausanne
World Junior Championships
	2024 Sweden
World U18 Championships
	2022 Germany

Howard represented the United States at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics and won a silver medal. ^[9]

Howard represented the United States at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded one goal and three assists in five games. ^[10] He again represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he was the leading scorer for the United States, with six goals and five assists in six games and won a silver medal. ^[11]

On December 16, 2023, Howard was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He recorded a team-leading seven goals and two assists in seven games and won a gold medal. ^[12]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2020–21	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		51	32	41	73	4		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		60	33	49	82	42		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	U. of Minnesota-Duluth	NCHC		35	6	11	17	25		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Michigan State University	B1G		36	8	28	36	10		—	—	—	—	—
NCAA totals				71	14	39	53	35		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2021	United States	U18	5th		5	1	3	4	2
2022	United States	U18			6	6	5	11	2
2024	United States	WJC			7	7	2	9	0
Junior totals					18	14	10	24	2

Awards and honours

Award	Year
College
All-Big Ten First Team	2025	[13]
Big Ten Scoring Champion	2025
Big Ten Player of the Year	2025
Big Ten All-Tournament Team	2025	[8]
Big Ten Tournament MVP	2025

References

1. Morreale, Mike G. (December 26, 2021). "2022 BioSteel All-American Game rosters selected". NHL.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
2. Wellens, Matt (July 7, 2022). "UMD men's hockey: Bulldogs incoming freshman Howard goes to Tampa Bay Lightning in first round of NHL Draft". Duluth News Tribune . Retrieved July 7, 2022.
3. Gray, Tim (June 23, 2022). "Isaac Howard excited for NHL Draft before UMD hockey debut". bvmsports.com. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
4. Sklar, Sam (March 25, 2023). "Michigan State makes transfer portal splash in NHL first-rounder Isaac Howard". The State News . Retrieved March 25, 2023.
5. "Big Ten Conference Announces Hockey Postseason Awards". BigTen.org. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
6. Bott, Nathaniel (March 18, 2025). "MSU hockey's Howard is Big Ten Player of Year; Augustine is top goaltender". Lansing State Journal . Retrieved March 19, 2025.
7. Kimelman, Adam (March 19, 2025). "Leonard, Buium among 10 Hobey Baker candidates". NHL.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
8. "Michigan State Wins the Big Ten Hockey Tournament". BigTen.org. March 23, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
9. Scheder-Bieschin, Gabrielle (January 22, 2020). "Men's Ice Hockey Team Secures Silver At Youth Olympic Games". teamusa.org. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
10. Spiegel, Jackie (April 26, 2021). "IIHF U18 Men's World Championship 2021: Rosters, NHL draft status, jersey numbers for all 10 teams". sportingnews.com. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
11. Scheder-Baracchini, Peter (May 4, 2022). "5 Prospects Who Improved Draft Stock at World U18 Championship". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
12. Morreale, Mike G. (December 16, 2023). "Gauthier leads United States 2024 World Junior roster". NHL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
13. "Big Ten Conference Announces Hockey Postseason Awards". BigTen.org. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Nolan Foote	Tampa Bay Lightning first round draft pick 2022	Succeeded by Incumbent
Preceded by Gavin Brindley	Big Ten Scoring Champion 2024–25	Succeeded by Incumbent
Preceded by Gavin Brindley	Big Ten Player of the Year 2024–25	Succeeded by Incumbent
Preceded by Trey Augustine	Big Ten Tournament MOP 2025	Succeeded by Incumbent