From Sunday's Maine Sunday Telegram
http://sports.mainetoday.com/college/hockey/050410howard.shtml
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Howard weighs his options, but decision could take awhile
By JENN MENENDEZ, Portland Press Herald Writer
Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Jimmy Howard has been hearing voices this spring.
From reporters. From friends. From students at the University of Maine.
Howard, Maine's touted goalie, could be a breath away from a
professional career or headed back to Orono for his senior season. And,
everyone wants to know what he will do. Stay or go?
The decision is not simple. Emotion, financial security, his
competitive drive and the wishes of the Detroit Red Wings, who own his
rights, all swirl together. And in this strange year without the NHL
and no collective bargaining agreement in sight, a decision is even
trickier. Or even simpler - depending on your point of view.
A look into Howard's 21-year-old psyche helps explain how he's dealing
with it all.
"I feel like I'm taking it in stride. It's fun," Howard said of the
speculation. "I enjoy the company of all the guys. If the CBA were to
be resolved, it would make for a very tough decision."
Howard, with his goofy grin and seashell necklace, is about as laid
back as goalies come.
He grew up in Ogdensburg, N.Y., a town of 12,000 on the St. Lawrence
River, some 50 miles from downtown Ottawa. He crossed the Canadian
border so often for practices and games the guards knew him by name.
His father jokes that Ogdensburg is like Orono dropped into the middle
of nowhere.
As a kid, Jimmy dreamt of playing hockey for nearby St. Lawrence
University. His options expanded as his skills improved.
Jimmy's parents, Jim and Linda Howard, are both educators. They have
seen their son mature and grow, even since the day he was drafted by
Detroit - the team's first pick in 2003, No. 64 overall.
"He doesn't come from your typical goaltender mode," said his father.
"He does have the quirky superstitions, but not all the mannerisms. He
is pretty laid back but extremely competitive. When he crosses the
threshold nothing else exists but that particular moment."
Howard, a specimen of focus on the ice, is the first to laugh or crack
jokes when a game is over.
"That's Jimmy. He just goes with the flow," said Linda Howard. "He's
just an easygoing laid-back kid. He takes things as they come."
He finished this season with a 1.92 goals-against average, a .943 save
percentage and a phenomenal 37-save performance against Minnesota in
the NCAA tournament.
With his junior season complete, it's a natural time for a top pro
prospect to explore his options. But this spring's situation is a
strange one.
Without a collective bargaining agreement, NHL teams cannot sign any of
their drafted players.
Players can sign minor-league contracts to join their organization's
farm team, but if they do, they forfeit any remaining NCAA eligibility.
For example, Boston University forward Chris Bourque gave up his last
three years of eligibility to sign an amateur tryout Thursday with the
Portland Pirates.
In a normal, nonlockout NHL season, Howard's future would have been
charted just days after the NCAA tournament ended. He could have left
to join Detroit or its American Hockey League team in Grand Rapids,
Mich. But because there isn't a deal in place, that option only exists
if Howard were to settle for a minor-league deal.
If the NHL and the players' association reach a deal this spring or
summer, Howard's decision will be far more pressing.
For now, the Red Wings view a senior year at Maine as a good option for
Howard, said assistant general manager Jim Nill.
"We're fortunate he has another year of college left," Nill said. "It's
still a pretty good option. But he is at the stage where he could turn
pro. We know Maine is there and is still a pretty good situation."
Most goalies are seasoned for up to three years in the AHL - a period
to grow as a player and learn how to survive an 80-game season against
other high quality players. Only the truly elite can jump straight to
the NHL from college hockey or Canadian junior leagues.
Nill said Detroit officials have watched Howard several times this
season and like what they've seen.
"He's very big in net. Not because of his physical size. There are just
some guys who look big in net," said Nill. "He has very good lateral
movement. He follows the puck very well. And that's what's impressing
us. He's becoming a man now. You draft these guys as kids.
"He'd be one of our top two (goalie) prospects, top three guys in our
whole system. He's a legitimate pro prospect. There's always an
adjustment from college to pros though. We need to figure out what's
best. Sometimes we get too fast with this."
Former Maine teammate Dustin Penner knows Howard's situation well.
Penner and Howard were neighbors last year before Penner left to sign a
deal with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. He now plays with the Cincinnati
Mighty Ducks in the AHL.
"It took me a month to decide (to turn pro). He should take as long as
he needs," said Penner. "I think he has good people around him. And
Jimmy's a smart guy. "
For Penner, the jump has been a huge learning experience.
"It's a different kind of game, a different kind of pressure here,"
said Penner. "It's never a bad thing to go back and get your degree. It
is a good level. But if he wants to play pro hockey, the sooner he gets
in the better."
Penner has seen the talent level of other AHL goalies vying for the
NHL. He believes Howard can equal that.
"He's got the work ethic and the talent. It will be how bad he wants
it," said Penner. "He kept improving and I saw highlights from the last
game against Minnesota, how amazing he was.
"The next level they just don't give up. They make second and third
saves. The caliber of the shooters goes up."
While waiting to see if the NHL labor impasse is resolved, the Howards
say their deliberations are strangely subdued. It's neither stressful
nor exciting.
"You know it's there, but not really right in front of you," said Jim
Howard. "It's there, but in the background, waiting. It could pop up
any time. But it's not like we're sitting on pins and needles."
Linda Howard had to work when Maine played Minnesota. She called her
son that morning to wish him a happy 21st birthday, then watched his
performance on television.
"He said, 'Mom I'm going to put on one hell of a show,' " she said.
"It's exactly what he did."
Whether that was Howard's final performance for Maine remains to be
seen. For now Howard will finish up his 14 credits this semester, play
street hockey with his teammates and wait.
"I'd talk to anyone. I'll listen to a lot of guys who had to go through
this and weigh the pros and cons," said Howard. "It is the most asked
question this spring. I'm getting pretty good at my answer: Just wait
and see."
Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:
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