It’s that time of the year for The Win Column’s NHL Draft Rankings and Draft Profiles! The 2024 NHL Draft will take place on June 28 and 29 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
Next up for us is Tanner Howe. Howe projects as a late first- or early second-round pick.
Who is Tanner Howe?
| Player | Position | Handedness | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanner Howe | W/C | Left | 5’11” | 181lbs |
Howe’s on-ice production
| Year | Draft Relative | League | Team | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | D-5 | SAAHL U15 | Prince Albert Pirates U15 AA | 31 | 7 | 16 | 23 |
| 2019–20 | D-4 | SAAHL U15 | Prince Albert Pirates U15 AA | 31 | 38 | 37 | 75 |
| 2020–21 | D-3 | SMAAAHL U18 | Prince Albert Mintos U18 AAA | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| WHL | Regina Pats | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22 | D-2 | WHL | Regina Pats | 64 | 27 | 42 | 69 |
| WJC-18 | Canada U18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | D-1 | WHL | Regina Pats | 67 | 36 | 49 | 85 |
| WJC-18 | Canada U18 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2023–24 | D+0 | WHL | Regina Pats | 68 | 28 | 49 | 77 |
Howe’s stats can be tracked all the way back to his D-5(!) season when he was playing AA in Prince Albert. With the Pirates as a 13/14-year-old, Howe played 31 games scoring 23 points.
The following year, Howe exploded. He scored 52 more points, ending with 75. Howe did that while also potting 38 goals and adding 37 assists. That made him over a goal and assist per game and over two points per game. This performance saw Howe get drafted 73rd overall by the Regina Pats in the 2020 WHL draft.
In 2021–22, Howe was poised to play AAA for the Prince Albert Mintos, but the COVID-19 pandemic impacted it. The season was limited to five games and Howe put up four points. He also suited up for eight games with the Regina Pats. Howe found himself scoring his first WHL goal and an additional assist.
Howe had his WHL rookie season in 2021–22. He surpassed expectations putting up 27 goals and 69 points in 64 games. Howe lost out on Rookie of the Year to his teammate and linemate, Connor Bedard. The U18s came and Howe was invited to play for Canada. With Canada being eliminated against Finland in the quarterfinals, Howe only played four games and put up zero points.
Next season, Howe improved to 85 points and 36 goals in 67 games. The Pats made the playoffs but lost in the first round to the Saskatoon Blades in seven games. Howe had four points in those seven games.
Howe was once again invited to play for Canada at the U18s. Canada won bronze narrowly beating Slovakia in overtime. Howe scored one point in Canada’s seven games. Many people pointed at Howe very commonly playing with Bedard to say he producing more than he should. With Bedard leaving, Howe had his draft year to prove not.
In a prove-it draft year, Howe stepped up as Pats captain, easily the team’s best player and go-to guy. His production dropped a tiny bit down to 28 goals and 77 points in 68 games, but the next highest-scoring player on the Pats had 25 fewer points for 52 points. Howe lost his spot as a top prospect in this draft but is still projected as a first- or second-round pick.
Howe’s strengths
Motor
Howe has one of the higher motors in this draft class. He’s always engaging himself in play. That could be joining the rush, getting on the backcheck, or digging in the dirty areas. Howe will position himself in front of the net preparing to redirect the puck or clean up a rebound. Throwing himself into battles in front of or behind the net, Howe is relentless and fearless. He’s 5’11” and 181lbs but he plays bigger.
All-around play
There’s nothing that Howe necessarily does wrong in any area of the ice. In the offensive zone, he’s always hunting for the puck and attempting to start plays. His shot and pass aren’t anything fancy but they get the job done. Passes seem to always find his teammates stick and they’re not hard to receive.
Value always comes with his shots and he can position himself in the right spots. I think that Howe’s shot and skating are underrated parts of his game and I see some good potential in them.
In the defensive end, he does many things well. Once again, he’s always trying to get the puck. He’ll join a battle, lay out his body, etc. He positions himself well and has a solid stick. Howe is trusted to penalty kill or be put out to defend a lead late. His versatility is valuable being able to play wing or centre, power play or penalty kill, and offence or defence.
Smarts
With being a strong all-around player, it makes sense that Howe is smart. He doesn’t often make passes or take shots that have risk to them, he’ll always go for the smart play. Reading when to drive to the net to clean up the rebound or when he has the puck. He can spot an open teammate and send a tape-to-tape pass. Howe knows when to join a battle or sit back and be the receiver of the puck.
Howe’s areas of improvement
Potential
Howe has a very refined game, it is hard to find a big flaw in it other than his size. The only thing that I question about him is what is his true potential. His current game could range anywhere from a fourth to first liner. With how he is currently, I would place him as a middle-six forward. His shot, passing, skating, puck control, etc. are all good but have no flash to them.
He doesn’t make those plays that generate high offensive danger even though I think he could. His motor and all-around play remind me of a third-liner on a contender. Howe seems to have the potential to improve his skills to a great level, he just needs to do it.
Howe’s comparables
There are many types of players that Howe reminds me of but I think the best is Calgary Flame, Blake Coleman. Like Howe, Coleman has a high motor and great all-around play. He does the right things, is trusted by coaches, and has an impact in every area. Coleman doesn’t have a flashy shot or passing game but still produces.
Fit with the Flames
The Flames’ last target for this draft should be wingers but I could still see potential in drafting Howe. Howe will give them a player with the option to be a winger or centre. His potential is also interesting as with proper development, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his offensive skills vastly improve.
Summary
Tanner Howe has been one of the Regina Pats’ best players for the past three years. His motor and two-way play bring a lot to the table. Add on his smarts and good skills, it’s hard to find an exact weakness. Howe currently projects as a middle-six forward, but I see the potential to be a top-six guy (maybe top-line) if his offensive game can take a step.
Risk: 1/5
Reward: 3.5/5
NHL Comparable: Blake Coleman
Projection: Middle-six, two-way forward
Check out all of The Win Column’s individual player profiles of selected 2024 NHL Draft prospects:
Macklin Celebrini | Ivan Demidov | Artyom Levshunov | Sam Dickinson | Cayden Lindstrom | Berkly Catton | Cole Eiserman | Zeev Buium | Konsta Helenius | Zayne Parekh | Carter Yakemchuk | Anton Silayev | Tij Iginla | Adam Jiricek | Michael Brandsegg-Nygard | Liam Greentree | Igor Chernyshov | Trevor Connelly | Aron Kiviharju | Michael Hage | Ryder Ritchie | Sacha Boisvert | Nikita Artamonov | Maxim Masse | Cole Hutson | Beckett Sennecke | Dominik Badinka | Emil Hemming | Henry Mews | Terik Parascak | Alfons Freij | Charlie Elick | EJ Emery | John Mustard | Luka Misa | Tanner Howe | Lucas Pettersson | Matvei Gridin | Dean Letourneau | Leo Sahlin Wallenius | Jesse Pulkkinen | Cole Beaudoin | Kamil Bednarik | Jett Luchanko | Andrew Basha | Stian Solberg | Adam Jecho | Matvei Shuravin | Veeti Vaisanen
