EDMONTON, AB – The Edmonton Oilers announced on Tuesday that they have acquired forward from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Sam O’Reilly. The team also confirmed that Howard has signed a three-year entry-level contract set to begin in the 2025–26 season.
Howard (5’11”, 190 lbs.) played 37 games for Michigan State University during the 2024–25 campaign, registering 26 goals and 26 assists for 52 points. His standout season earned the 21-year-old winger the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in NCAA men’s hockey.
Originally drafted 31st overall by the Lightning in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Hudson, Wisconsin native totaled 88 points (34 goals, 54 assists) in 73 games over two seasons with the Spartans.
Howard was part of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, appearing in four games and recording one assist. He also starred at the 2024 World Junior Championship, scoring seven goals and adding two assists in seven games to help Team USA claim gold.
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