Team

Betting

OilersNation has no direct affiliation to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers Entertainment Group, NHL, or NHLPA

‘Ready for this camp’: Isaac Howard targets big step forward with Oilers

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

By Michael Menzies

Sep 11, 2026, 19:30 EDTUpdated: Sep 11, 2026, 19:27 EDT

Comments

To get to the National Hockey League, young hockey players need to hold themselves to a high standard.

The same goes for former Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard, the proud owner of two World Junior gold medals, who enters the upcoming season with one year of pro experience in the Edmonton Oilers organization.

How did the 22-year-old think his 2025-26 season went?

“I think to my standards, it wasn’t what I wanted,” said Howard at the start of rookie camp on Friday. “But I think there are a lot of great lessons I took from it that helped me grow as a player and to come back ready for this camp, just more prepared and better overall.”

High standards, especially considering Howard put up numbers with the Bakersfield Condors.

How did Isaac Howard’s first professional season progress?

Howard scored 24 goals and 50 points in 47 games and finished on the AHL All-Rookie Team, alongside teammate Quinn Hutson.

On the other hand, Howard started the season with the big club before getting regular employment in the AHL. After being sent down to Bakersfield in November, he had two more stints with the Oilers, one in January for 11 games, and one near the end of the season in April.

Overall, he played 29 games in Edmonton, scoring twice and providing five points. So great in the AHL, but not so great numbers-wise in the NHL. It’s a big jump from the NCAA, where a short season like 37 regular-season games with Michigan State more than doubled, with a total of 76 games combined in the pros.

“I thought I was successful in Bakersfield, and, of course, I want to be successful here in Edmonton and have a great year here,” Howard continued. “As I said, there were a lot of positives taken from that, and I think I was able to become a better player and a better person, and I think sometimes those things are necessary.

“Of course, my standards are that I want to have a good year here, so I think there’s definitely some room to grow and to continue to grow.”

CREDIT: Edmonton Oilers. Isaac Howard answers questions from the media at Rookie Camp on Friday.

What can Isaac Howard learn from Matt Savoie’s development path?

Howard has proven at multiple levels he’s a dynamite goal scorer with a tremendous shot. But playing without the puck, playing within a structure, and playing through the grind of a long season are lessons a young player has to go through.

It’s no different than Matt Savoie coming to Edmonton in 2024-25, who spent nearly all season — 66 games — with the Condors. Although different types of players, Savoie had 54 points to Howard’s 50 points, but in 19 more games.

It’s the less sexy stuff, like learning how to penalty-kill, defending in critical situations, that helped Savoie become a regular NHLer in 2025-26. Howard would love to replicate that.

He talked on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer on Thursday about getting the opportunity to penalty kill, being on the ice for 5-on-6 situations, and working closely with Condors coach Colin Chaulk in video sessions, whom Howard praised.

Mike Babcock has already said publicly that one of his keys is improving how the Oilers play without the puck, so Howard can expect to apply what he’s learned, and then some.

“I think last year I took big strides in that and focused on defence first,” said Howard in the scrum. “That’s where I had a lot of success in Bakersfield was being on the right side of the puck. That doesn’t mean you’re not going to create offence. It’s just you’re on the right side of the puck, and it can help you create more offence at times.

“I spent a lot of time with Colin Chaulk, just going over my game details, how we can get better. A lot of video, a lot of asking questions and learning, and getting put in a lot of different situations, which I think is really important. It helped me a lot.”

But opportunity knocks to begin the season. Savoie is out to begin the season, so a vacancy exists in the Oilers’ top six. Can Howard seize the day?

“I think I definitely can,” he said. “I don’t have to overthink it, or anything like that. I just gotta come to camp ready and play hard, compete hard, and just showcase myself.

“I have no idea what’ll actually happen. But I just feel better overall this season, more comfortable, and those guys [McDavid and Draisaitl] are great players, of course. You just gotta play your game and get open.”

His first opportunity to showcase himself will be Monday as the Oilers rookies will head down the QE II to face Flames rookies at the Saddledome.

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.

THE FIRST NATION VACATION OF THE 2026/27 SEASON IS HERE!

Toronto is calling — and this isn’t your average hockey trip.

The first 2026/27 Nation Vacation presented by JetSet Parking is here, and we’re taking over Toronto for one hell of a weekend.

From November 13–16, 2026, you’ll experience Edmonton vs. Toronto from a VIP suite surrounded by your people, fellow Nation fans and special guests who’ll make this more than just a night at the rink.

Add in Nation events, a pre-game celebration, a downtown Toronto stay and a weekend built around hockey, and you’ve got an experience you simply can’t get from buying a ticket and booking a hotel.

And you can reserve your spot with just $500 down.

Bring the jersey. Bring your crew. We’ll bring the Nation.

A hockey trip is good. A Nation Vacation is better.

RESERVE YOUR TRIP at nationexperiences.ca.