Falcons add former IceDog Howard
Former Thorold Blackhawk and Niagara IceDogs defenceman Mason Howard is expected to make his debut Friday for the St. Catharines Falcons. Photo by: OHL IMAGES
Mason Howard’s career has come full circle.
The 20-year-old London native, who began his junior hockey career in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Thorold Blackhawks in 2017/18, is back in the GOJHL, this time as a member of the St. Catharines Falcons.
Howard began the season with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League but parted ways with the organization last week.
“I think it was just time for me to move on,” Howard said. “Obviously, things didn’t work out there and whatever happened, happened, but I’m happy now to be with the Falcons and I’m sure we’ll have a great season.
“Obviously it’s exciting to be a Falcon, especially playing at The Jack. There is a lot of tradition and a lot of history.”
Howard said he was in touch with former IceDogs goaltender Andrew MacLean, who joined the Falcons this season.
“He (MacLean) is a big part of me joining the Falcons,” Howard said. “We’re pretty close. He was my goalie last year and I sat beside him in the IceDogs dressing room. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with him and being teammates again.”
Howard, who played two full seasons with the IceDogs after moving up from Thorold, is excited to have a key role with the Falcons.
“I’m definitely familiar with the league,” he said. “I just want to bring my leadership skills. I’ve been in the OHL now and I know guys in junior B look up to guys like that. I just want to be a presence in the room, help the team win games and obviously help younger guys develop to hopefully make the OHL.”
St. Catharines coach Tyler Bielby feels Howard, who is a strong, stay-at-homer defender, will be a perfect fit for the Falcons.
“I think a player like that coming from where he’s coming from will be a huge asset to our organization,” Bielby said. “Particularly his style of play in our arena, we’re really looking forward to it. He loves to eat pucks (block shots), play hard and positionally, and he’s played at the highest level.
“We feel he’s going to be a big help to our already strong blueline.”
Bielby said there are no worries Howard is coming down to the junior B level just to play out the string.
“Anytime you get a guy coming down you want to make sure they’re not just throwing the towel in and just coming to hang out with the boys and they actually have goals,” Bielby said. “I had a conversation with Mason and he seems very dedicated to winning a championship. Truth is, that’s why we went after him, to round that piece out.
“We believe that we can make a run and he’ll be a big part of it. His attitude will be a big part of that and I challenged him on that. I told him I really need him to come in and be a leader and lead by example because some of the young guys will look up to him because of where he’s been.”
The Falcons dealt forward Wyatt Gibson to the Blackhawks for the rights to Howard. As well, defenceman Dylan DiTomaso has been traded to the Georgetown Raiders of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The addition of Howard is the latest in a series of significant moves made by Falcons general manager Frank Girhiny to upgrade the roster. Former Quebec Junior Hockey League defenceman Olivier Desroches was added last week while forward Blake Yetman, a Whitby native, has 11 points in six games since being brought it. Earlier this week, the club picked up former Thorold captain Nicholas Rubino in a trade.
“We’re happy that our GM and board of directors are so committed to helping us be successful,” Bielby said. “We thank them for putting their faith in us and these players to really make a run and go get the job done.
“Frank has worked hard to bring in the right kind of people and that makes my job just a little bit easier.”
Howard is expected to make his Falcons debut Friday at home versus the Fort Erie Meteors.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 3,700 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
