Howden brings home golden memories

Moose Jaw Warriors captain Brett Howden sounded like a WHL player who had won a World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal in his interview on TSN.ca the evening of Jan. 5. Which, as it turns out, is exactly what he was.

Howden made his return to the Warriors line-up on Jan. 13 against the Edmonton Oil Kings, with his five-point effort helping the Tribe to an 8-2 win. That victory was nice. The one a week earlier?

Transcedental.

“...You’re always going to have that relationship with those guys and those memories. It was a very special time for sure.”

“It’s pretty crazy,” Howden said. “I mean, it’s tough to put it into words, every kid dreams of that and for it to come true is pretty special. With the group of guys we had, it was a real fun group of guys and to be with them for a month, you’re always going to have that relationship with those guys and those memories. It was a very special time for sure.”

While Howden didn’t receive first line minutes like he’s used to in Moose Jaw, his impact was still felt as the tournament progressed. He finished with three goals and seven points and a forward-corps-best plus-9.

“I think our line played pretty well.” he said. “We knew what our job was, creating energy for the team and keeping momentum swings going our way. The whole team, no one is worried about points in that tournament, everyone is worried about the team and doing what they can to help win and it shows what kind of guys we have on that team. We didn’t have any superstars, but a great group that meshed very well.” Warriors coach Tim Hunter – an assistant coach with Team Canada – was plenty impressed with Howden’s performance through the event.

“He wasn’t on the power play but he played 14 minutes a game, less time than he has here, but he had a big role on the penalty killing unit and took some big face-offs, which is going to be important for us moving forward as well,” Hunter said.

“To win a world junior gold and to be in a pressure cooker like that for a month leads to huge development for a player and were thrilled he got to go through that. And Kale Clague for the second time, too. So we’re excited about both of them and their development moving forward.”

So the question remains – is Howden carrying the medal everywhere he goes since the big win?

“Nooo, I have it in a box and I’ll be sending it home to my parents so I don’t lose it,” he said with a laugh.