Really no point in playing guys like Ivanans and PL³ while sitting a healthy Howse, so my best guess would be that Howse is still nursing some kind of injury ... otherwise he'll surely play regularly in Abbotsford or go to the ECHL like Wahl did. Thanks for the heads up about his shoulder problems, rednex50 - I knew he was injured back then (that was the reason why he didn't play for the Heat after being eliminated with Chilliwack IIRC), but I didn't know the extent of the injury ... every guy who is playing through injury deserves respect, but two separated shoulders just sound sick.
I actually followed the Bruins pretty closely because I was able to catch a game in Chilliwack when I was in Canada two years ago. Was excited to watch the game just because of "our" prospect Howse, but afterwards I also checked the progress of guys like Brandon Manning, Jamie Crooks and others. Too bad for you that they moved to Victoria though.
I have high hopes on Howse. I think if he could get healthy and adjust his overall game to pro hockey, he could be an integral part of the future Flames. Obviously his start in the pro ranks could have been better, but I'm sure he can turn it around sooner or later. I think a ECHL stint could be good for his confidence.
Patrick Holland is having a good spell at the moment. He now has 6 goals in his last 10 games, which is a good sign because he didn't score a single goal in his first 11 games of the season and just a single one in his first 17. So finally seeing his name on the scoreboard on a regular basis again is a relief. 7+22 in 27 games is good, especially since he also contributes in other areas. I think with Holland and Reinhart, we have some solid 2-way-forwards on the way. Will be great to see them in Abbotsford next year and hopefully in a Flames uniform as soon as possible.
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