Pats captain Howe inks entry-level deal with Penguins

Pittsburgh, Penn. – Regina Pats captain Tanner Howe has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team announced his signing on Wednesday afternoon – just hours after the conclusion of their annual development camp.

Selected in the second round (46th overall) at the 2024 NHL Draft, Howe became the first member of the Pats organization to be drafted by the Penguins since Swift Current product Boyd Kane was selected 72nd overall at the 1996 Draft. He is also the first player from the Penguins’ latest draft class to put pen to paper.

A dream come true for Tanner Howe.

Welcome to the Penguins! pic.twitter.com/ThedoVh42v

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 10, 2024

Seen as a highly-touted forward, the 18-year-old captain was ranked 41st amongst all North American skaters prior to the draft.

And, it was a ranking that Pats Head Coach Brad Herauf knew was more than fitting.

“He demands that effort out of his teammates. You can’t have your ‘A’ game all the time, but I think Tanner, for me, has one of the best ‘B’ games,” Herauf praised in an interview prior to the draft.

“If he’s not contributing offensively, he does so many little things that are not on the stat sheet. He can play anywhere in the lineup- left, right or centre. He does so many of those little things to help you win in clutch times. Those things go unnoticed a lot.”

In 68 games played during the 2023-24 regular season, the product of Prince Albert, Sask. led all Pats in goals (28), assists (49), and points (77). His stat line of 23 power-play assists and 1.13 points per game also topped the Club’s charts.

But it wasn’t just his natural knack for the net that made Howe a must-have prospect. As a prospect with a late-2005 birthday and four seasons worth of WHL experience under his belt, the forward offered clubs a skill that couldn’t be taught on the ice.

Maturity.

“The way that Tanner plays and his presence in the dressing room and the way he carries himself, I think that people are always going to respect him,” Herauf said.

Howe was one of two WHL talents selected by the Penguins at the draft in Las Vegas, joining Kamloops Blazers defenceman Harrison Brunicke. Howe also got the opportunity to reunite with longtime friend and teammate, Brayden Yager, at the team’s development camp.

From childhood friends to @penguins teammates.

What a journey it's been for Brayden Yager and Tanner Howe!@WHLPats | @MJWARRIORS | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/oCX8eHbwOi

— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 29, 2024