Hitmen acquire Penguins prospect Howe from Pats in major trade
Calgary, Alta.- The Calgary Hitmen have acquired forward Tanner Howe from the Regina Pats in exchange for 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Reese Hamilton, forward Keets Fawcett, a second-round pick in 2027, and a third-round pick in 2025, the clubs announced Wednesday.
Howe, who was in his second season as the Pats’ captain, has six goals and one assist in 10 games in 2024-25.
The gritty power forward was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and signed his entry-level contract over the summer.
Standing 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds, Howe has amassed 98 goals and 142 assists for 240 points in 217 career games with Regina since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
“We are very excited to add a two-way player and leader to our group. Through his three plus years in the Western Hockey League, Tanner has demonstrated that he is an elite player and a leader,” said Garry Davidson, General Manager of the Hitmen. “Making a trade for this caliber of player means you have to make the tough decision to part with good young players. We wish Keets and Reese the very best as they move forward in their careers.”
The move sees the Pats add a plethora of young talent in top 2025 NHL Draft-eligible defenceman Hamilton and energetic forward Fawcett, in addition to the two draft picks.
Hamilton, who hails from Whitewood, Sask., is projected as a potential second- to third-round pick in the 2025 Draft and is slated to compete at the upcoming CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound blueliner has a goal and two assists in 20 contests this season and recently helped Canada to gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Fawcett has contributed two goals and give assists in 20 matches so far in 2024-25 after potting 19 goals and 26 assists in 65 games in his rookie season.
“While this is an important trade for our franchise, it is also very difficult moving a quality person, and quality player, in Tanner Howe,” said Alan Millar, Regina Pats VP, Hockey Operations and GM. “Tanner plays the game the right way, is a tremendous leader, and is a person with great values and integrity. He has a very bright future in the game, and we wish him the best in Calgary, and beyond with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tanner will always be a Pat.
“We are excited to add Reese Hamilton, Keets Fawcett, and valuable draft capital to our hockey club. Hamilton is considered one of the top young defensemen in the WHL, is an elite skater, puck mover, and will help generate offense for our team from the back-end. Fawcett plays the game hard, is a good skater, and had an impressive rookie season as a 17-year-old scoring 19 goals.”
The Hitmen (10-7-3-1) are back in action on Friday, November 22 as they host the Victoria Royals (12-6-2-1) at 7:00 p.m. MST.
Regina (6-11-2-2) hits the road for a match against the East Division rival Swift Current Broncos (13-7-0-0) the same night at 7:00 p.m. ST.
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