Isaac Howard

Isaac Howard (born March 30, 2004) is an American college ice hockey left wing for Michigan State University of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). During his junior season he won the Hobey Baker Award. He was drafted 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Howard competed at the 2022 BioSteel All-American Game. He was drafted in the first round, 31st overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

College

Howard began his college ice hockey for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs during the 2022–23 season. During his freshman season he recorded six goals and 11 assists in 35 games.

On March 25, 2023, Howard announced he would transfer to Michigan State University for the 2023–24 season. During his sophomore year he recorded eight goals and 28 assists in 36 games.

During the 2024–25 season, in his junior year, he recorded 26 goals and 26 assists in 37 games. During conference play he led the Big Ten in scoring with 16 goals and 17 assists in 24 games. Following the season he was named the Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Player of the Year and the Big Ten Scoring Champion. He also won the Hobey Baker Award. During the 2025 Big Ten men's ice hockey tournament, he recorded three goals and two assists in two games, including the game-winning goal in double-overtime to help Michigan State win their second consecutive Big Ten men's ice hockey tournament championship. He was subsequently named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and Big Ten Tournament MVP.

International play

Howard represented the United States at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics and won a silver medal.

Howard represented the United States at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded one goal and three assists in five games. He again represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he was the leading scorer for the United States, with six goals and five assists in six games and won a silver medal.

On December 16, 2023, Howard was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He recorded a team-leading seven goals and two assists in seven games and won a gold medal.