This summer has been an off-season in name only for Quinton Howden.
There hasn’t been much down time, but the 18-year-old Moose Jaw Warriors forward is loving the hectic schedule that has come with his opportunities.
Howden is starting to gear up for the upcoming hockey season as he attends Hockey Canada’s junior team developmental camp in St. John’s, N.L.
“It’s been pretty busy, but I’m used to a busy schedule and I love what I’m doing right now,” said Howden.
Howden has two years of eligibility to crack a World Junior roster. He said it was a special honour to get invited, but added he isn’t putting too much pressure on himself to impress during the short four-day summer camp.
“I’m going to go there and do what I can,” said Howden. “I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself. I’m going to go and work as hard as I can and do what I can and see where that takes me.”
Howden has been to Hockey Canada camps before and he made the under-18 team for the IIHF World Under-18s in Belarus last year.
“I’ve been through the whole Hockey Canada process so I know what it’s all about and they know what I’m about,” said Howden. “I’m going to go and have fun and meet a lot of new faces, enjoy my time out there and work hard.”
The last five months have been full of big moments.
Howden returned quickly from a collar bone injury to make his Western Hockey League playoff debut with the Warriors in the spring. He then joined the Canadian team for the IIHF under-18 worlds. While the team finished a disappointing seventh, Howden had an excellent tournament where he tied for the team lead with four goals.
Following that trip to Belarus, Howden then prepared for the NHL draft combine and was selected in the first round, 25th overall in the Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers.
For more please see Thursday’s Times-Herald.
