Edmonton Oilers’ Isaac Howard Named to Team USA for World Hockey Championship  – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

Howard was added to Team USA after a strong rookie season in the American Hockey League (AHL) where he finished 6th among all AHL rookies in total scoring with 50 points (24 goals, 26 assists) in 47 games. Howard also finished 3rd among AHL rookies with 24 goals and was named to the 2025-26 AHL All-Rookie Team in mid-April. 

Helping Fans Forget About Sam O’Reilly

The news of Howard being named to Team USA comes on the heels of former Oilers prospect Sam O’Reilly being named Most Valuable Player in the Ontario Hockey League. A Hobey Baker Award winner, Howard was acquired by Oilers general manager Stan Bowman from the Tampa Bay Lightning last offseason in exchange for O’Reilly. Even though Howard only put up five points in a limited role in 29 games for the Oilers this season, he shone with the Oilers AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, where he was also named AHL’s Player of the Month for December. 

Team USA Will Help With Howard’s Development 

Team USA comes into the World Hockey Championship as defending gold medal champions. Though the team is full of young players and prospects, including Sam Lafferty, Matt Coronato, and Devin Cooley, Team USA also features two-time Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk. This could be a great opportunity for Howard to learn from Tkachuk, who finds himself in a leadership role on Team USA.

Expectations High for Howard to Make the Oilers Next Season 

Howard’s strong rookie season in the AHL has propelled him to the top of the list of Oilers prospects who appear to be NHL-ready. Similar to Matt Savoie, who spent the 2024-25 season in the AHL and became an NHL regular in 2025-26, expectations are high for Howard to do the same.

Some media pundits believe Howard could also be used as a prized trade piece this offseason in the Oilers’ quest to add more quality veterans to the lineup for the 2026-27 season. 

Good News in an Offseason Full of Negativity 

The news of Howard being named to Team USA is a real positive for the Oilers. After the Oilers ‘ first-round playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks, the mood in Oil Country has been as sour as it’s been in years. From finding a legitimate starting goalie to Evan Bouchard being left off the finalists list for the Norris Trophy, the news of Howard playing in the World Hockey Championship is a breath of fresh air in a market that is full of negativity at the moment. 

A Prospect That Continues to Get Better 

Howard continues to prove that he was a shrewd pickup by the Oilers. With a strong showing in his rookie season in the AHL and being rewarded with a spot on Team USA’s World Championship roster, Howard is projecting to be a full-time NHL player next season. Whether he is put on a line with Oilers veterans such as Leon Draisaitl or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains to be seen. Oilers fans should have a better idea of where Howard will fit once August and September come around.

NHL Ready

The one thing Oilers brass can be sure of is that Howard will be ready to contribute in the 2026-27 season. He’s proven he’s ready for the NHL with a strong rookie season in the AHL, and it should be interesting to see what he does for Team USA at the World Hockey Championship.