CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Jack Howatt was a skater in novice when an email changed his career trajectory.
“No one was really trying out for the team in nets. They sent out an email, then I decided to give it a try and I never looked back,” the 15-year-old Charlottetown native said Monday night.
Howatt is putting the finishing touches on a remarkable season. He went 13-0 with a 0.77 goals-against average for the Central Attack during play in the Island bantam league this season. He allowed three goals while going 2-0 in the playoffs as the Attack won the title and is now preparing for this week’s Atlantics in Nova Scotia.
Howatt was also key as the team won the Monctonian and the Spud titles.
All of that work already has Quebec Major Junior Hockey League squads inquiring about him even though he still has two years of midget left before being eligible for the draft.
“It’s special,” Howatt said. “It’s a good feeling to know the hard work is paying off and people are looking at you.”
But he is also quick to deflect the credit to the guys who play in front of him.
“They’re good at keeping players to the outside and letting me make the easy saves,” he said.
Jeff Squires was the head coach in novice when Howatt made the move to the crease.
“Jack has really evolved into one of the elite stoppers, if not the elite stopper, in Atlantic Canada right now,” he said.
It doesn’t surprise him based on Howatt’s workman-like approach to battling at practice.
“Every puck is a real test for Jack and making sure he keeps it out of the net in practice, and I think that’s why he is succeeding so well in the games,” he said.
The bench boss said Howatt is mentality and technically sound.
“He’s got a goaltender’s mentality,” he said. “He doesn't get flustered. He’s very consistent in the net.”
Defenceman Isaac Vos said Howatt has been a huge part of the team’s success.
“I don't think we could do any of this stuff without him,” he said. “Whenever we need him to make a save, he makes it.”
Forward Colby Huggan said Howatt has been a rock for the team as its last line of defence.
“He’s great at doing his job and staying humble. He always likes to have fun, too.”
Howatt has teamed with first-year Shannon MacDonald to give the Attack top-notch goaltending all season.
“You couldn't ask for a better situation. Shannon is a top-end ’05 goalie here in Atlantic Canada,” Squires said.
The team held its last practice Monday before the Atlantics.
“Jeff is preparing us very nicely,” Howatt said. “I think we have a really good shot at winning this year.”
Squires said Howatt is a big-game player with a pedigree of rising to the occasion when needed.
“He’s used to these tournaments and he’s come up big and he’s going to have a great tournament this weekend,” he said. “It’s going to be real nice to see how Jack continues to evolve here over the next year or two as an elite goalie.”
Related links:
Central Attack seeking Atlantic title to cap off memorable season
Atlantic bantam hockey championship
Central Attack wins P.E.I. bantam title
