Edmonton Oilers forward Ike Howard overjoyed to be playing in Canadian market
Edmonton Oilers forward Ike Howard is ready to prove that he is deserving of playing in the NHL this season.
The 2024-25 Hobey Baker Award winner was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade early this offseason and has immediately become one of the organization’s top prospects. Despite having yet to play professional hockey, Howard made it clear that his goal is to crack the Oilers roster.
“It’s going to be a unique challenge. I think my mindset is just to come in here and play my game,” Howard said. “I hope to make the team, be in the NHL and tackle that part of the game. At the end of the day, it’s fun. It’s a sweet opportunity I have. It’s not too stressful, it’s pretty unreal. Just coming in here with a good attitude and having some fun.”
Howard’s talent is obvious, as the 21-year-old is coming off a season with Michigan State University in which he scored 26 goals and 52 points in 37 outings. That said, he’s well aware that the Oilers have one of the most loaded lineups in the NHL and are gunning for a Stanley Cup.
“That’s what’s so cool about [Edmonton], is that they want to win the Stanley Cup. That brings a fun and exciting aspect to it,” Howard said. “For me, I’ve just got to play my game during training camp. Hopefully get in, do my thing and see where it goes.”
There is always some concern with American players that they may prefer to play south of the border, and some couldn’t help but wonder if that may eventually become the case for Howard, who hails from Hudson, Wisconsin. Thankfully, that doesn’t appear to be a problem.
In fact, if anything, the 2022 first-round pick seems even more excited to play in a market where hockey is the main focus.
“I can see downtown being rowdy during the playoffs. I can see the atmosphere of it. Watching the games, it looks incredible at Rogers Place. It’s the cool part about Canada, hockey’s their sport. You play in a market like this, it’s crazy, and as a player that’s pretty unreal.”
Howard is one of two young players up front trying to earn a roster spot with the Oilers this season, with the other being Matt Savoie. Both will have to prove themselves in training camp, but appear to have strong shots given the significant number of departures the organization had this offseason.