Jimmy Howard
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" Russell Howard III (born March 26, 1984) is an American
professional ice hockey
goaltender
for the Detroit Red Wings
of the National Hockey League
. He was runner up in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy
following the 2009-10 NHL Season as the NHL's rookie of the year.
of the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League, where he played from ages 14–16 before joining the U.S. National Team Development Program. He played with the U.S. National Under-17 and U.S. National Under-18 teams during the 2001–02 season, playing 9 games with the Under-17 team and 26 games with the Under-18 team for a total record of 22-11-1 with four shutouts. In April 2002, Howard played for the United States
in the 2002 IIHF World U18 Championships
in Slovakia
. Playing in six tournament games, he led his team to a Gold Medal and was subsequently named USA goaltender of the year. Howard then attended the University of Maine
and played for their men's ice hockey team, the Maine Black Bears
, for three seasons. While at UMaine, Howard led the Black Bears to the 2003-2004 Frozen Four championship game, losing 1-0 to the University of Denver
. While Howard was playing for the Black Bears, he was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft
by the Detroit Red Wings. During his three seasons with the Black Bears, Howard set team and league records.
Beginning with the 2005–06 season
, Howard began his career in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins
where he was occasionally called up to play for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League
. Howard's inaugural season in the AHL became what is still one of his best in professional ice hockey. During this season he set many personal records as well as franchise records, including being the first Griffin named to the AHL's All-Rookie Team and helping establish the Griffins franchise win streak record of 12.
He was in net for the Red Wings four times in the 2005–06 season posting a 1-2-0 record, a GAA
of 2.99 and a save percentage
of .904. In the 2007–08 season during the month of February, Howard was in net for the Red Wings an additional four times, and called up once during the 2008–09 season
, bringing his total NHL games played to 9.
Howard only played four games in the 2007–08 regular season and therefore did not qualify to have his name engraved on the cup. However, he was included in the 2008 Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup picture, given the Cup for a day, and awarded a Stanley Cup ring by the Red Wings' management. With the retirement of Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek
in June 2008, Howard was expected to compete with Ty Conklin
for the position beside Chris Osgood
for the 2008–09 NHL season, despite Conklin's noticeable advantages in terms of experience and contract. Although Howard did not earn a permanent spot on the Red Wings roster for the 2008–09 season, he was expected to make the roster in the near future.
, making 20 saves. On December 17, 2009, Howard recorded his first career shutout in a 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning
. Jimmy Howard won the starting position in mid-season and kept the role until the end of the season. Jimmy Howard finished the 2009-10 season with excellent stats, ranking him in the top 5 in GAA and Save %, and finishing with a 37-15-10 record and a nomination for the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. Howard gained more fame in the March 22, 2010 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins
when he grabbed Sidney Crosby from behind and put his glove in Crosby's face, after Crosby repeatedly cross-checked Howard's teammate Henrik Zetterberg.
On April 14, 2010, Howard played in his first NHL playoff game, a 3-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes
. On April 20, he recorded his first career playoff shutout, making 29 saves in a 3-0 win over the Coyotes. The Coyotes were eliminated by the Red Wings when Howard's first NHL playoff series went to seven games. The Detroit Red Wings
were then eliminated by the San Jose Sharks
in five games. Howard recorded a 2.75 goals against average with a .915 save percentage during the postseason.
Howard was also a 2010 Calder Trophy finalist, but was runner-up to Buffalo's Tyler Myers
. Howard won the 2010 Detroit Red Wings-Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Rookie of the Year Award.
to kick off the 2010–11 NHL season
. On February 28, 2011, Howard signed a 2-year contract extension with the Red Wings worth $2.25 million per season. The Red Wings lost in seven games to the San Jose Sharks
in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
and career.)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
for the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. He was runner up in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
following the 2009-10 NHL Season as the NHL's rookie of the year.
Playing career
Jimmy Howard began his junior career playing for the Westport RideausWestport Rideaus
The Westport Rideaus are a Junior "B" team based out of Westport, Ontario. They play out of the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-Season-by-season results:-External links:**...
of the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League, where he played from ages 14–16 before joining the U.S. National Team Development Program. He played with the U.S. National Under-17 and U.S. National Under-18 teams during the 2001–02 season, playing 9 games with the Under-17 team and 26 games with the Under-18 team for a total record of 22-11-1 with four shutouts. In April 2002, Howard played for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 2002 IIHF World U18 Championships
2002 IIHF World U18 Championships
The 2002 IIHF World U18 Championships were held in Piešťany and Trnava, Slovakia. The championships began on April 11, 2002, and finished on April 21, 2002. Games were played at Zimny Stadion in Piešťany and Zimny Stadion in Trnava...
in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. Playing in six tournament games, he led his team to a Gold Medal and was subsequently named USA goaltender of the year. Howard then attended the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
and played for their men's ice hockey team, the Maine Black Bears
Maine Black Bears
The Maine Black Bears are the athletic teams which represent the University of Maine. They compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with the majority of the teams playing in the America East Conference...
, for three seasons. While at UMaine, Howard led the Black Bears to the 2003-2004 Frozen Four championship game, losing 1-0 to the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
. While Howard was playing for the Black Bears, he was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft
2003 NHL Entry Draft
The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee on June 21, 2003.Marc-Andre Fleury was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, only the third goalie in NHL history selected as the first overall draft choice...
by the Detroit Red Wings. During his three seasons with the Black Bears, Howard set team and league records.
Beginning with the 2005–06 season
2005–06 AHL season
The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals....
, Howard began his career in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins
Grand Rapids Griffins
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League....
where he was occasionally called up to play for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. Howard's inaugural season in the AHL became what is still one of his best in professional ice hockey. During this season he set many personal records as well as franchise records, including being the first Griffin named to the AHL's All-Rookie Team and helping establish the Griffins franchise win streak record of 12.
He was in net for the Red Wings four times in the 2005–06 season posting a 1-2-0 record, a GAA
Goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
of 2.99 and a save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
of .904. In the 2007–08 season during the month of February, Howard was in net for the Red Wings an additional four times, and called up once during the 2008–09 season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, bringing his total NHL games played to 9.
Howard only played four games in the 2007–08 regular season and therefore did not qualify to have his name engraved on the cup. However, he was included in the 2008 Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup picture, given the Cup for a day, and awarded a Stanley Cup ring by the Red Wings' management. With the retirement of Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...
in June 2008, Howard was expected to compete with Ty Conklin
Ty Conklin
Ty Curtis Conklin is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League....
for the position beside Chris Osgood
Chris Osgood
Christopher John Osgood is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He's currently ranked tenth in wins in NHL regular season history with 401 career wins. He spent the first part of his 17-year NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, then the New York Islanders and the St. Louis...
for the 2008–09 NHL season, despite Conklin's noticeable advantages in terms of experience and contract. Although Howard did not earn a permanent spot on the Red Wings roster for the 2008–09 season, he was expected to make the roster in the near future.
2009–10 season
Howard's roster spot turned official during 2009 off-season when Detroit did not offer Conklin a new contract, instead electing to promote Howard to Osgood's full time backup. He recorded his first win of the 2009-10 NHL Season on October 27 in relief of Chris Osgood against the Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, making 20 saves. On December 17, 2009, Howard recorded his first career shutout in a 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
. Jimmy Howard won the starting position in mid-season and kept the role until the end of the season. Jimmy Howard finished the 2009-10 season with excellent stats, ranking him in the top 5 in GAA and Save %, and finishing with a 37-15-10 record and a nomination for the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. Howard gained more fame in the March 22, 2010 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
when he grabbed Sidney Crosby from behind and put his glove in Crosby's face, after Crosby repeatedly cross-checked Howard's teammate Henrik Zetterberg.
On April 14, 2010, Howard played in his first NHL playoff game, a 3-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
. On April 20, he recorded his first career playoff shutout, making 29 saves in a 3-0 win over the Coyotes. The Coyotes were eliminated by the Red Wings when Howard's first NHL playoff series went to seven games. The Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
were then eliminated by the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in five games. Howard recorded a 2.75 goals against average with a .915 save percentage during the postseason.
Howard was also a 2010 Calder Trophy finalist, but was runner-up to Buffalo's Tyler Myers
Tyler Myers
Tyler Myers is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Sabres in the first round, 12th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. At the end of the 2009–10 NHL season, Myers won the...
. Howard won the 2010 Detroit Red Wings-Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Rookie of the Year Award.
2010-11 season
Howard recorded a 21 save shutout in Detroit's season opener against the Anaheim DucksAnaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
to kick off the 2010–11 NHL season
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
. On February 28, 2011, Howard signed a 2-year contract extension with the Red Wings worth $2.25 million per season. The Red Wings lost in seven games to the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Achievements
- Holds University of MaineUniversity of MaineThe University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
school record for shutouts, goals against averageGoals against averageGoals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
and save percentage. (holds all three records for both single season
and career.)
- Was awarded a Legislative Sentiment by former MaineMaineMaine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
State Representative Chris GreeleyChris GreeleyChristian D. "Chris" Greeley is a former representative in the Maine state legislature. He is a Republican. He represented District 22 in the House of Representatives for four consecutive two-year terms, from 2002 to 2010, at which point he was prohibited from running again by term limits.He is a...
in July of 2011, for his success as both a college and professional hockey player, and his work with kid's hockey programs. - Holds NCAANational Collegiate Athletic AssociationThe National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
records for GAA(1.19) and save percentage(.954) - 2003–04. - Only NHL goalie to face a penalty shot in each of his first two games.
- Named to the 2005–06 AHL All-Rookie team.
- Named the 2009-2010 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year in voting by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.
- Runner-up for the 2010 Calder Memorial TrophyCalder Memorial TrophyThe Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
Personal life
He is married to Rachel Howard. On October 23, 2011, Rachel gave birth to the couple's first son, James Russell Howard IV.Regular season
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | T/OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
SV% Save percentage Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | U.S. National U-17 | NAHL | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 3.67 | — |
| 2001–02 | U.S. National U-18 | NAHL | 26 | 16 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 1.89 | — |
| 2002–03 | Maine Black Bears University of Maine The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System... |
H-East Hockey East Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference.... |
21 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 1151 | 47 | 3 | 2.45 | .916 |
| 2003–04 | Maine Black Bears | H-East | 22 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 1364 | 27 | 6 | 1.19 | .956 |
| 2004–05 | Maine Black Bears | H-East | 39 | 19 | 13 | 7 | 2310 | 74 | 6 | 1.92 | .924 |
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Grand Rapids Griffins Grand Rapids Griffins The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
38 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 2141 | 92 | 2 | 2.58 | .910 |
| 2005–06 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 200 | 10 | 0 | 2.98 | .904 |
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 49 | 21 | 21 | 3 | 2776 | 125 | 6 | 2.70 | .911 |
| 2007–08 2007–08 AHL season The 2007–08 AHL season is the 72nd season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Chicago Wolves won their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final.-Team changes:... |
Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 54 | 21 | 28 | 2 | 3097 | 146 | 2 | 2.83 | .907 |
| 2007–08 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 197 | 7 | 0 | 2.13 | .926 |
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 45 | 21 | 18 | 4 | 2644 | 112 | 4 | 2.54 | .916 |
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 4 | 0 | 4.10 | .857 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 63 | 37 | 15 | 10 | 3740 | 141 | 3 | 2.26 | .924 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 63 | 37 | 17 | 5 | 3615 | 168 | 2 | 2.79 | .908 |
| NHL totals | 135 | 75 | 37 | 15 | 7811 | 330 | 5 | 2.53 | .916 | ||
Post season
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 14 | 6 | 7 | 763 | 44 | 0 | 3.46 | .885 |
| 2006–07 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 7 | 3 | 4 | 434 | 14 | 0 | 1.93 | |
| 2009–10 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 12 | 5 | 7 | 720 | 33 | 1 | 2.75 | .915 |
| 2010-11 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 11 | 7 | 4 | 673 | 28 | 0 | 2.49 | .923 |
| NHL totals | 23 | 12 | 11 | 1393 | 61 | 1 | 2.63 | .919 | ||