Edmonton Oilers fans hyped up after Howard scores Draisaitl-like preseason goal
Edmonton Oilers fans are hyped up after watching top prospect Ike Howard notch his first goal of the preseason.
The reigning Hobey Baker winner has carried a lot of hype into his rookie season after being traded to the Oilers over the summer. Howard scorched the NCAA with 26 goals in 37 games for Michigan State last season, and the expectation is that he’ll jump straight into the NHL this season.
Things got off to a slow start for the 21-year-old, being held scoreless in two rookie games and his first preseason matchup. However, Tuesday night’s preseason game against the Winnipeg Jets saw him put together his first highlight-reel play in an Oilers uniform.
Howard managed to snipe a beautiful one-timer goal on the power play thanks to a slick feed from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Ice Man one-timer š„¶ pic.twitter.com/B34cxrqOFw
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 24, 2025
The man they call the Ice Man took a page out of teammate Leon Draisaitl’s playbook with that goal, scoring a goal that Oilers fans are very familiar with from the German superstar. Howard now has a goal and an assist through two preseason games.
Howard spoke with Oilers team reporter Paige Martin after the game, where he gave a great answer when asked about the goal.
“I like bombing pucks from there,” Howard said. “Felt good, nice play by [Nugent-Hopkins] finding the seam… I just tried to get one on net.
“Getting comfortable with the system… Each day I feel better.”
"I like bombing pucks from there."
Ike Howard on scoring his first goal in an #Oilers uniform during tonightās preseason win over the Jets.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/JgeWatl4Me
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 24, 2025
Oilers fans also like seeing Howard “bomb” pucks from that spot. The reaction from the fanbase was immediate, with many liking what they are seeing from the young sniper.
Replies flooded underneath the Oilers’ tweet of the goal, with many excited for what he can do in the upcoming regular season.
“McDavid’s gonna make him a 50-goal scorer,” wrote one fan.
“IKE HOWARD HAS ARRIVED,” said another.
Disgusting pass by Nuge elite finish ice man šššš
ā Spence (@_jspence14) September 24, 2025
Howard is gonna be something else this season
ā DAPPER DON DHARSHI ā¢ K A M I L ā¢ (@SoloFlow786) September 24, 2025
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has been coy about playing either Howard or Matt Savoie in the top six right away, but if he can continue to show off his offensive skill, maybe he could force the coach’s hand.
The Ice Man will have two weeks to show what he’s got.