Ryan Howse
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Birthday:
1991-07-06 |
Position:
LW |
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Eligible for draft:
2009 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
2009 |
Height:
5-11 |
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Acquired:
3rd round (74th overall), 2009 |
Weight:
195 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- D
History
2006-07: Ryan Howse netted 21 goals and 37 points in 30 games with the Cariboo Cougars (BCMML) this season, while also competing for Team Pacific in the 2007 World U17 Hockey Challenge. He also saw his first bit of WHL hockey this season, suiting up for five games (one goal) with the Chilliwack Bruins.
2007-08: This marked the wingers first full WHL season, which he spent with Chilliwack. In 54 games, Howse potted 10 goals and 17 points, adding a goal and another helper through four playoff games.
2008-09: The Prince George native returned to his old stomping grounds this season, suiting up for a career-high 61 games with the Chilliwack Bruins for his second full installment of WHL hockey. He tallied a personal best 31 goals, along with four hat tricks, and 44 points this season. A concussion sidelined him for a few games at the beginning of the season, but the injury didn’t affect his play. Next season should be his last with the Bruins (WHL).
2009-10: Howse improved his overall game in his fourth season with the Chilliwack Bruins. He scored 47 goals (15 power play goals) along with 25 assists and a plus nine rating in 72 WHL games. The talented sniper was given a chance to play on the penalty killing unit where he tallied four shorthanded goals while improving his defensive play. The Bruins would make the WHL playoffs but lose in the first round even though Howse scored five goals along with an assist and an even rating in six playoff games.
2010-11: Howse showed an excellent scoring touch in his last season with the Chilliwack Bruins and signed an entry level contract with the Calgary Flames on Dec. 21, 2010. He scored 51 goals, with 32 assists but a minus 19 rating while taking 40 PIMs in 70 WHL games. The feisty winger was the main offensive threat for the Bruins this year and helped them make the playoffs. In the 4-1 playoff series loss to the Spokane Chiefs, Howse was shutdown, only scoring 1 goal as the main cog in the Bruins' offense. In his defense, the Chiefs were just a far superior team which easily blanketed the 20-year-old left winger.
2010-11: Howse showed an excellent scoring touch with the Chilliwack Bruins and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames in December 2010. He scored 51 goals, with 32 assists with a minus-19 rating and had 40 penalty minutes in 70 WHL games. He was the main offensive threat for the Bruins, who reach the playoffs after finishing third in the B.C. Division. In the playoff series with Spokane, Howse was shutdown, scoring 1 goal and finishing minus-two with 2 penalty minutes against a far superior Chiefs team.
2011-12: Howse had a challenging first season in pro hockey trying to establish himself in the AHL as a 20-year-old. After getting off to a slow start and dealing with some injury issues in mid-season he showed glimpses of his offensive game late in the year. After failing to register a point in his first 20 games, he scored his first goal in a February 18th game against Houston. Howse finished the season with 6 goals and 3 assists in 39 games and was minus-eight with 49 penalty minutes. Abbotsford finished second in the West Division and advanced to the second round in the playoffs. Howse played in one playoff game for the Heat and was minus-2 with no points or penalty minutes.
Talent Analysis
Howse is a solid skater and a natural scorer who isn't afraid to go in the dirty areas of the ice while finding ways to score goals. He has a natural ability to change the shooting angle of his body and stick blade quickly to get his accurate shot through traffic to the net. The offensively skilled forward must continue improving his defensive game while showing that he can score at the professional level.
Future
Since the start on last season, Howse has struggled with conditioning issues and injuries. The second year pro was sent to the ECHL to try to regain his scoring confidence and play top line minutes with the Grizzlies. He could return to the AHL level if the sniper can get off to a good start and the NHL lockout is settled soon, allowing some of the Heat players to win roster spots in Calgary.
