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Edmonton Oilers forward Isaac Howard turning heads at World Championships

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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May 22 2026, 4:22 pm
Edmonton Oilers forward Isaac Howard turning heads at World Championships
Simon Fearn/Imagn Images

Edmonton Oilers forward Isaac Howard is quickly reminding fans that he has the ability to be an impact player.

Howard’s first season with the Oilers didn’t go the way the fan base had hoped, as he suited up for just 29 games, scoring two goals and five points. He did post some impressive numbers in the AHL, but the organization desperately needs him to become more impactful at the NHL level.

If his play at the World Championships is any indication, they may soon get their wish.

Howard chose to represent the USA at the Worlds and has gotten off to a great start. Through four games, he leads his team in scoring with three goals and an assist.

The 22-year-old tallied twice in a 5-1 win over Great Britain last Sunday. He then opened the scoring for Team USA three nights later in what ended up being a 4-3 shootout victory over Germany.

Part of Howard’s success at the Worlds has stemmed from opportunity, something which he failed to get in his first season with the Oilers.

Under now-former head coach Kris Knoblauch, the shifty winger averaged just 10:19 in ice time. While there are some warts in his game in the defensive zone, a new head coach for the Oilers — whether it be Bruce Cassidy or someone else — will need to do a better job at instilling confidence in his game by giving him bigger minutes.

The Oilers can’t afford for Howard to remain a fringe contributor next season. With limited cap space and enormous pressure to bounce back, they need young players to emerge in meaningful roles.

Howard’s performance at the World Championships is showing exactly why there’s still plenty of belief in his upside.

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