TANNER HOWE

Left Wing/Center
5’10/181
Left
Regina Pats/WHL

Related: IGOR CHERNYSHOV

Tanner Howe played on a line with Connor Bedard last season and was extremely productive point-wise as he had 85 points last season along with a strong P1/GP of 0.94. Standing at 5-foot-10, 181 pounds, he shows tremendous energy and work ethic on the forecheck and in puck battles. He has great hands in traffic and can execute a high degree of difficult passes with his playmaking as he’s very crafty. He isn’t afraid to shoot the puck as he has great accuracy and knows how to maintain space to be available for a scoring chance. Howe has an opportunity to continue to produce without the phenom by his side. It has been quite an adjustment for Tanner Howe on the Regina Pats playing without Connor Bedard, although he has still been able to put up 26 goals and 73 points in 62 games, proving to be an excellent playmaker in his own right. On top of this, Howe has started to add a physical element to his game, and is a
pest on the forecheck and along the boards, despite his size. His draft stock has completely plummeted, going from a potential top-10 pick at the beginning of the year to perhaps a player who might be selected at the end of the first round. Despite this, Tanner Howe should still be able to be a really solid NHL-caliber top 6 forward, who thrives in all situations.

Size/Strength Below Average
Skating Good
Shot/Scoring Good
Puckhandling Good
Physical Play Great
Offensive Play Great
Defensive Play Great
Hockey Sense Great
Competitiveness Great

Strengths

1. Has a high motor and good board battle mechanics; always seems to outwork his opponents along the boards.
2. Is a great playmaker with a physical edge to his game and NHL-level speed and skill; highly versatile, can play both Center and Wing.
3. Great Leader; can play in all situations and is a terrific two-way player.

Areas of Improvement

1. His size is an issue and is going to be the main thing that could keep him out of the first round.
2. His puck skills need refining.
3. Some question his ability to carry his playmaking and scoring to the NHL level.

Scouting Report

With Connor Bedard gone, Tanner Howe was expected to step up and take a bigger role with the Regina Pats this WHL season, and did he ever. The undersized winger is the captain of his team at 18 years old, and by far their leader in production and overall on-ice impact, leading the team in goals (26), assists (47), points (73), and PIM (65). Tanner Howe has clearly been the best player on his team this season, and it isn’t close, he has scored 27 points more than the
next-highest scorer on the team, Braxton Whitehead, who has 46 points. Unlike a lot of the other top prospects, Howe is not only a threat on the offensive side of the puck, but he has also proved he can be trusted in all situations, as he has been used on the penalty kill often and is often on the ice in the last minute of the game to win a key faceoff to defend the lead. No matter what the situation is, Howe is the go-to guy in Regina. Along with his great two-way ability, he has solid skating ability, a high-end motor, and excellent board battle mechanics. If you watch Tanner Howe play, it seems like the puck seems to follow him and he’s adept at making it work well for himself and his teammates. He doesn’t necessarily wow you with his skill level for a player with his statistical profile and size, but he makes a lot of small area plays, he always seems to be around the puck inside the offensive zone. He’s tenacious off the puck, he can play down the Center or Wing. Howe has legit NHL-level speed and skill but his size is an issue, but his calling card is his fantastic competitive level. He’s a tenacious player who throws his weight around constantly and plays the game with a high motor. Although his puck skills need refining, his all-around ability and leadership skills more than makeup for deficiencies in that department. My Comparison for Tanner Howe is Brad Marchand, who was drafted as a center actually but has gone on to have a very successful NHL career as a Left Wing with the Boston Bruins. Like Marchand, Howe is a jack of all trades and is a coach’s dream to have on the team. The main thing that will prevent Tanner Howe from being a first-round pick is his size; we have seen countless examples of talented undersized players getting passed over in the first round in favor of taller players that don’t pan out because NHL Teams are anamoured by size. Regardless of where Tanner Howe ends up, the team he goes to is going to be getting a really good NHL player.

Skill: Feisty, undersized winger with great hands, motor and defensive ability; excellent playmaker as well

NHL Comparable: Brad Marchand

NHL Potential: Top 6, Two-Way Forward

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2022-23	Canada U18	Hlinka Gretzky Cup	5	2	4
	Regina Pats	WHL	67	38	89
	Canada U18	WJC-18	7	0	1
2023-24	Regina Pats	WHL	62	26	73

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