Sophomore forward Isaac Howard shows off his stick handling during the game against Western Michigan at Centene Ice Center on March 29, 2024. The Spartans beat the Broncos 5-4 in overtime.
Michigan State University hockey standout forward Isaac Howard is planning to return to for his final season in the green and white, his agent told The Detroit News on Wednesday, April 9.
Howard was selected in the late first round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He spent one season at Minnesota Duluth before entering the transfer portal, where he transferred to Michigan State and saw his production flourish during his junior and senior years.
A Hobey Baker Award finalist, Howard recorded 52 points in his junior season, tallying 26 goals and 26 assists. He became the first Spartan to eclipse 50 points in a season since Taro Hirose in 2019. Howard was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and earned honors as Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Scoring Champion.
While it was rumored that the reason for Howard not being signed was due to cap space issues within the Tampa Bay organization, Elliotte Friedman of The Sportsnet reported that the two were not "simpatico" with one another.
Howard will become a free agent in August 2026, opening the door for any NHL team to sign him. Until then, the Lightning still retain his rights and could sign him before that deadline if both sides reach an agreement.
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