Isaac Howard (born March 30, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a winger for the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL).
He played college ice hockey at Michigan State and won the Hobey Baker Award in 2024âÂÂ25. He was drafted 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL entry draft.
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.
Howard began his college ice hockey for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs during the 2022âÂÂ23 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 for the 2023âÂÂ24 season. During his sophomore year he recorded eight goals and 28 assists in 36 games.
During the 2024âÂÂ25 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 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 tournament championship. He was subsequently named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and Big Ten Tournament MVP.
On July 8, 2025, Howard's NHL rights were traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Sam O'Reilly. He then signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers, beginning during the 2025âÂÂ26 season. He scored his first NHL goal on October 21, in a 3âÂÂ2 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators.
Howard represented the United States at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics and won a silver medal.
Howard represented the United States at the 2021 World U18 Championships, where he recorded one goal and three assists in five games. He later represented the United States at the 2022 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' roster to compete at the 2024 World Junior Championships. He recorded a team-leading seven goals and two assists in seven games and won a gold medal.
Howard made his senior national team debut for the United States at the 2025 World Championship, where he recorded one assist in four games and helped the team win its first gold medal since 1933.