Isaac Howard

Last updated

Isaac Howard
2025-05-04 Deutschland gegen USA (Eishockey-Landerspiel) by Sandro Halank-157.jpg
Howard with Team USA in 2025
Born (2004-03-30) March 30, 2004 (age 21)
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
NHL team Edmonton Oilers
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 31st overall, 2022
Tampa Bay Lightning

Isaac Howard (born March 30, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey at Michigan State and won the Hobey Baker Award in 2025. [1] [2] He was drafted 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL entry draft.

Contents

Playing career

Howard competed at the 2022 BioSteel All-American Game. [3] He was drafted in the first round, 31st overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL entry draft. [4]

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. [5]

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. [6]

During the 2024–25 season, in his junior year, he recorded 26 goals and 26 assists in 37 games. During conference play he led the Big Ten in scoring with 16 goals and 17 assists in 24 games. [7] Following the season he was named the Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Player of the Year and the Big Ten Scoring Champion. [8] He also won the Hobey Baker Award. [9] 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. [10]

Professional

On July 8, 2025, Howard’s NHL rights were traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Sam O'Reilly. [11] [12] He then signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers, beginning during the 2025–26 season. [13]

International play

Isaac Howard (1).jpg
Howard at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics
Medal record
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2025 Sweden/Denmark
Youth Olympic Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2020 Lausanne
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2024 Sweden
World U18 Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2022 Germany

Howard represented the United States at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics and won a silver medal. [14]

Howard represented the United States at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded one goal and three assists in five games. [15] 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. [16]

On December 16, 2023, Howard was named to the United States' roster 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. [17]

Howard made his senior national team debut for the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded one assist in four games and helped Team USA win their first gold medal since 1933. [18]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2020–21 U.S. National Development Team USHL 513241734—————
2021–22 U.S. National Development TeamUSHL6033498242—————
2022–23 U. of Minnesota-Duluth NCHC 356111725—————
2023–24 Michigan State University B1G 368283610—————
2024–25 Michigan State UniversityB1G3726265210—————
NCAA totals108406510545—————

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2021 United States U18 5th51342
2022 United StatesU18Silver medal icon.svg665112
2024 United States WJC Gold medal icon.svg77290
2025 United States WC Gold medal icon.svg40110
Junior totals181410242
Senior totals40110

Awards and honors

AwardYearRef
College
All-Big Ten First Team 2025 [19]
Big Ten Scoring Champion 2025
Big Ten Player of the Year 2025
Big Ten All-Tournament Team 2025 [10]
Big Ten Tournament MVP 2025
Hobey Baker Award 2025 [9]
AHCA West First Team All-American 2025 [20]

References

  1. ↑ "Howard wins Hobey Baker Award as top NCAA men's hockey player". NHL.com. April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Isaac Howard wins 2025 Hobey Baker Award for top men's NCAA hockey player". Sportsnet . April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  3. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (December 26, 2021). "2022 BioSteel All-American Game rosters selected". NHL.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Gray, Tim (June 23, 2022). "Isaac Howard excited for NHL Draft before UMD hockey debut". bvmsports.com. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  6. ↑ Sklar, Sam (March 25, 2023). "Michigan State makes transfer portal splash in NHL first-rounder Isaac Howard". The State News . Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Big Ten Conference Announces Hockey Postseason Awards". BigTen.org. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. 1 2 "Michigan State's Isaac Howard wins the 2025 Hobey Baker Award". uscho.com. April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Michigan State Wins the Big Ten Hockey Tournament". BigTen.org. March 23, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Lightning trade Hobey Baker winner Howard to Oilers". NHL.com. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  12. ↑ Wenzel, Mtt (July 8, 2025). "Michigan State hockey loses nation's top player in NHL trade". MLive.com . Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  13. ↑ "RELEASE: Oilers acquire Howard from Lightning". NHL.com. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Scheder-Baracchini, Peter (May 4, 2022). "5 Prospects Who Improved Draft Stock at World U18 Championship". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  17. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (December 16, 2023). "Gauthier leads United States 2024 World Junior roster". NHL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  18. ↑ Zaccardi, Nick (May 25, 2025). "U.S. men's hockey team wins first standalone world championship since 1933". NBC Sports . Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Big Ten Conference Announces Hockey Postseason Awards". BigTen.org. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Boston College leads way with four 2024-25 All-Americans". USCHO.com. April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Tampa Bay Lightning first round draft pick
2022 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Big Ten Scoring Champion
2024–25 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Big Ten Player of the Year
2024–25 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Big Ten Tournament MOP
2025 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Hobey Baker Award
2024–25 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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