Howe drafted by Penguins with 46th pick of 2024 NHL Draft

June 29, 2024 – Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pat’s press release

Regina, Sask. – The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Regina Pats captain Tanner Howe with the 46th pick (2nd round, 14th) of the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft on Saturday.

“It’s a crazy feeling to get the chance to hug your parents and your family,” Howe said in a media release after his selection. “I’m honestly speechless. Pittsburgh is such a great organization and I can’t wait to get started.”

Howe, 18, led the Pats in goals (28), assists (49), points (77), power play points (23) and games played this past season, playing in all 68 games for the first time in his career. The product of Prince Albert, Sask. completed his fourth season with the Regiment in 2023-24, reaching 20+ goals, 40+ assists and 60+ points for the third straight season. Previously drafted by the Pats in the fourth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, the 5-foot-11, 182 lb. left-shooting forward ranks 65th in franchise history in games (207), 57th in goals (92), 34th in assists (141) and T-44th in points (233).

“I think I’m a strong midfielder or winger who can play the opposition really well,” Howe added. “I think I can add depth to the line-up, have a scoring ability and can take chances. I think I play a lot bigger than I am.”

Howe becomes the eighth Pats player of all time selected by the Penguins, joining Ron Snell (1968), Rob Laird (1974), Rick Uhrich (1974), Dave Goertz (1983), Kevin Clemens (1985), Jamie Heward (1989) and Boyd Kane (1996).

The third youngest captain in Pats history was one of 34 WHL players selected in the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft and the 11th highest drafted after five WHL players were drafted in the first round, all within the first 17 selections were made.

Howe also became the 32nd player of all time from the city of Prince Albert to be drafted by an NHL club, and the first since Braden Schneider (New York Rangers, RD #1 – 19th) in 2020.

Exactly 128 Pats alumni have been drafted by NHL clubs. The Pats have now selected three players in the last four drafts, with Howe joining Ryker Evans (Seattle Kraken, 2021) and Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks, 2023).

Additionally, Stian Solberg, Regina Pat’s European prospect, was selected in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks, 23rd overall. The Oslo, Norway product finished the 2023-24 campaign with 15 points (5G-10A) in 42 games with Vålerenga of Norway’s top professional league. The 2005-born left-shot defenseman is listed at 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds. He competed with Norway at the 2024 World Juniors, recording two points (1G-1A) in five matches.

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