The big day finally came for Brett Howden on Friday night.
The Moose Jaw Warriors forward was selected 27th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York.
Howden joins Brayden Point in the Lightning organization after the Warriors’ captain was taken by Tampa Bay in the 2013 NHL Draft.
“It’s pretty crazy, I felt pretty comfortable with them in my interviews and I heard a lot of good things from Brayden Point about their organization, so I just can’t wait to get started,” Howden told Sportsnet after being picked by Tampa Bay.
Howden is the first Warriors to be picked in the first round of the NHL Draft since Morgan Rielly in 2012 and the first Warrior to go in the draft since Point in 2013.
The Warriors could have three more players selected during the second day of the draft on Saturday with Noah Gregor, Zach Sawchenko and Brody Willms hoping to hear their names called.
Howden ended up being picked three spots later than his brother, Quinton, who was selected 24th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2010.
“He’s been there through everything with me and he’s been helping me out this year with the combine and the draft and I can’t thank him for everything he’s done for me,” said Howden.
During his draft year this past season, Howden finished with 24 goals and 64 points in 68 games with the Warriors. He had 22 goals and 46 points during his rookie season in 2014-15.
The Lightning have made back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference Final. General Manager Steve Yzerman told Sportsnet that he is excited about Howden brings to their organization.
“There was a lot of guys that we like, but he was kind of a different dimension, mostly a bigger guy, but the best traits that we like in him are his hockey sense and his versatility to play in all part of the game,” said Yzerman.
Yzerman added that Point being in Moose Jaw helped them make the decision on Howden.
“Brayden playing with him was a great source for us to find out about his character and his work ethic,” said Yzerman. “Just as the season went on, talking to our scouts and having our meetings, he moved up our list and we felt that he really played well at the U18s, so we’re actually quite excited to get him with our pick.”
There was four players taken from the Western Hockey League during the first round with Calgary Hitmen defenceman Jake Bean going to the Carolina Hurricanes at 13th overall. Kelowna Rockets defenceman Lucas Johansen was selected by Washington 28th overall and Regina Pats forward Sam Steel went with the final pick of the first round to the Anaheim Ducks.
The second round through seventh round go on Saturday.
Wow what a feeling!! Dream come true!! So happy to be apart of the @TBLightning organization!
— Brett Howden (@B_Howdy21) June 25, 2016
Manitoba to Florida, the brothers Howden.@B_Howdy21's older brother @qhowden21 plays for the Panthers. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/rQxcHjP4L9
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 25, 2016
Well, this will be interesting.. Congrats @B_Howdy21
— Quinton Howden (@qhowden21) June 25, 2016
Hey @TBLightning fans here is a highlight pack of Brett Howden (@B_Howdy21). pic.twitter.com/MgRJVXfgkX
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) June 25, 2016
Congrats howdy!! @B_Howdy21
— Brayden Point (@BraydenPoint19) June 25, 2016
So proud of my boy @B_Howdy21 guy deserves everything that's coming his way #riiiiiiig
— Dryden Hunt (@huntsy22) June 25, 2016
1/2 Congrats to @B_Howdy21 on getting drafted by the @TBLightning!! As if the Sportsnet panel didn't mention that he played
— Kendall McFaull (@kmcfaull) June 25, 2016
2/2 with @BraydenPoint19 all year until after Brett mentions it! The panel needs to wake up boys! Two great young stars! #MJWarriors
— Kendall McFaull (@kmcfaull) June 25, 2016
Huge congrats to the Liney @B_Howdy21 on getting drafted by the Tampa bay lightning!! Well deserved!
— tanner jeannot (@Tanner_Jeannot) June 25, 2016
Congrats to @B_Howdy21, 27th overall to Tampa Bay. You've worked hard to get to this point, enjoy your moment pic.twitter.com/zDmyaCZZxj
— James Gallo (@jamesgallo2) June 25, 2016
Well @B_Howdy21 & @BraydenPoint19, I think I'm going to have to start cheering for the Lightning @MJWARRIORS
— Marc Smith (@MarcSmith18) June 25, 2016