Isaac Howard knows how to make a good impression.
In the 2022 NHL draft, when he was selected 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Howard wore a stark white suit, a blue turtleneck and a gold chain, all tied with a gold buckle. belt with the American flag. He declared himself “the most handsome guy here” during an interview with ESPN's Emily Kaplan.
At the 2024 world junior championship in Sweden, Howard scored seven goals in seven games to help the Americans win gold, including two in the championship final against the home team.
He calls himself “Ike.” He calls himself “Iceman”, a nickname from his father because he never left the ice as a child. He is a sophomore star at Michigan State. And he just won free Chipotle food for a year.
Howard joined “The Drop,” ESPN's hockey podcast, for a conversation that covered everything from the junior world to Cutter Gauthier's rejection of the Philadelphia Flyers and Alex Ovechkin.
“The Drop” has new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday, available on all podcast platforms and on YouTube on the “NHL on ESPN” broadcasts. Enjoy!
Where does the gold medal go?
Howard: I haven't thought about that yet, to be honest. I'm thinking about hanging it next to my bed so I can see it every day, you know what I mean? It's kind of fun to look at, so I'll probably hang it on a hanger in my room.
The gold medal match was fantastic against the Swedes. Obviously very intense. What was the deal with the fight at the end of the game? And besides that, how would you describe your teammate Lane Hudson's fighting style?
Howard: Emotions were high in that gold medal game. They were looking for something at the end of the game and a couple of things led to another. And then Huddy got into a little fight there and I thought he did well. Like he dodged a big right hand and was able to take the guy down. And that just added to how fun the win was. Everyone in the dugout was going crazy and loving it.
Did he dodge it or just miss it, considering Lane is 5-foot-10?
Howard: I'd like to say Lane dodged it.
USA Hockey is circling all over the place right now: the world junior championship this year, and then filling the national teams with NHL players for an international tournament in 2025 and the Olympics in 2026. How does it feel to be reaching a Is this the moment when the United States is really taking its big step internationally?
Howard: You can see it all over the country. In every state, there are players coming up. The depth that our country has is impressive. It's becoming a really great and exciting hockey country, which is amazing to be a part of.
Then the team gets free Chipotle for a year for winning the world junior championship.
Howard: [Laughs] Oh yeah!
Do they give you a card? How do you redeem free Chipotle for a year?
Howard: For us it starts next week. Just stop by our phone. Right in our app, they just upload it every day. I'm sure I'll look to abuse that.
Is it unlimited? Can you go three times a day if you wanted?
Howard: I do not know yet. I have not received all the details. But I think it's a main course a day or a hit a day. I'm still not completely sure.
What is your favorite order there?
Howard: It's usually one dish, white rice, double chicken, black beans, guacamole, cheese, sour cream. And then the vinaigrette, of course, to top it off.
What's up with hockey players and Chipotle? Jack Hughes got an endorsement deal. I know the guys on the US youth team love it and call it “Chipper,” right?
Howard: It's like the perfect little meal after skating, working out, or a long day. For example, you just want to go get a Chipper bowl. It's not fried or anything like that. You get real meat, chicken or steak and it's like… it's the package. Many kids like chicken and rice. Chipotle has that and it's tasty.
I would say I go to Chipotle three or four times a week right now. I'll probably go five or six times a week now. Game days would be the only days I don't go.
You were selected 31st overall. So you're right on the border of the first and second round, but you're a first-round pick. How important is it to you to be selected late in the first round versus the second round?
Howard: It was a great relief. I didn't want to have to go through that process again, you know what I mean? She wakes up and returns to the track the next day. So I was waiting to hear my name. When it finally happened, she felt unreal. It's such a long process. I feel like I was there for four and a half hours, waiting. Once you're there in person, everything happens very slowly. When they revealed my name to me, I felt amazing.
One of your most famous quotes was with our colleague Emily Kaplan at the NHL draft: you said you were the best-looking guy there, moments after being selected. Our very important question for you: Were you the most handsome guy on the US team?
Howard: From an unbiased point of view, I'll have to say “yes” to that question. You know, stick to what I believe.
Obviously, one of the biggest stories in hockey is Cutter Gauthier deciding he won't play for the Philadelphia Flyers and then being traded to the Anaheim Ducks. What was your reaction to seeing all that with Cutter this week?
Howard: I was a little surprised. Um, you know, I didn't know that was in the works or anything like that. But I guess that's something that can happen. It is a business. Trades happen and all that. But it definitely surprised me a little.
Can you ever imagine consciously becoming the fans' public enemy number one in Philadelphia like Cutter just did?
Howard: He has a strong mind. I think he'll be fine.
When you finally make it to the NHL, are there any players you're dying to play against?
Howard: There are a lot of players. Once you're finally on the big stage playing in the NHL, there are superstars throughout the league. It will definitely be cool to watch and go up against some guys I grew up watching. I think that's one of the most interesting parts of becoming an NHL player.
Who was your boy when he was a kid?
Howard: I really liked Ovechkin. I loved his arrogance and his goals. It was very fun to see.
You grew up watching the Minnesota Wild. What will it be like to play in that stadium for the first time?
Howard: Yes, it will be sweet. That's the track I grew up watching. It was about 25 minutes from my house, so my brothers and my parents and I always went there and watched games. It's a really fun barn. So if I had the opportunity to play there, it would be unreal.
