The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Stars’ Mason tells of his delight at finally landing British forward Howlett
Dundee Stars are excited to have signed British forward Mac Howlett for the 2022-2023 Elite League campaign.
The 22-year-old, who can play centre or on the left-wing, iced with Guildford Flames last season and put up eight points (3G, 5A) in 66 games.
Howlett is the second member of the Surrey side’s squad to join the Stars this summer, after Chris Gerrie signed with the club last week.
Born in Woking, Howlett made his professional debut with Glasgow Clan in the 2018-2019 campaign as he dressed in 69 matches and recorded five points (1G, 4A).
The 5ft 10in attacker has spent the past four years playing around the Elite League with three different clubs and has represented Great Britain at under-18 and 20 level, featuring in 20 games and scoring 13 points (3G, 10A).
After spending two seasons in Glasgow and helping the Clan to a Gardiner Conference title in his first year, Howlett then moved on to start the Covid-stricken season with ES Weißwasser under-23s in the German fourth tier and through seven games, he had 19 points (4G, 15A).
He then returned to England and was drafted by Coventry Blaze in the Elite Series, which replaced the cancelled 2020-2021 Elite League season, and he netted one goal in 14 games, before joining Guildford last season.
Prior to his EIHL debut, Howlett had been working his way through the English youth leagues before making a switch to the Finnish junior leagues at age 16.
Weighing in at 187lbs, Howlett has already won some silverware during his 11-year career, as back in 2014-2015, he was an English U18 Champion with Okanagan Hockey Academy U18s.
As well as the previously mentioned Gardiner Conference title with Glasgow, he also won two bronze medals (2017-18 and 2018-19) with Team GB at under-20 level (Division 2A) and was named an U13 All-star in the English Ice Hockey Association tournament of 2011-2012.
After securing the services of Howlett, Stars head coach Jeff Mason admitted he finally got a player he has always wanted.
He said: “Mac is a player that I have had interest in for a few years now.
“Under Pete Russell at
Glasgow, he showed a lot of promise and I know Pete speaks very highly of him.
“Then over the last couple of years, we had our eye on him when I was in Belfast and we talked a few different times about potentially bringing him over.
“So, when I got the job here in Dundee, he was a player that was high on my list, especially as a young Brit, and now I am extremely happy to get the deal worked out.
“I am really looking forward to him coming to Dundee.”
As Howlett has already played in four different countries, his wealth of experience at the age of only 22 was another standout factor for Mason.
He added: “He is also someone who is very hungry and the words ‘opportunity and fit’ were really high on his list this summer and he felt that our situation in Dundee would be the best for him and his career.”
Meanwhile, Howlett said: “I am very excited to be joining the Stars.
“I want to bring speed and skill to the team, which suits how Dundee as a team has played in recent years, and to build on the recent success the club has had.”