Ryan Howse rediscovers his passion for hockey

[StrykerSteve]

Article is from earlier this year, he's since signed on as a coach for the BCHL Prince George Spruce Kings.

A few interesting tidbits about the Flames and what led to his decision to leave a Pro career behind.

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/s...sion-1.2229840

During a successful four-season WHL career as a sniper with the Chilliwack Bruins, Howse scored 140 goals in 262 games. The Flames picked him in the third round of the 2009 draft, 74th overall. But after two seasons in the AHL with the Abbotsford Heat, Howse's promising career in the pro ranks was cut short in September 2013 when he realized his heart was no longer in the game and he decided not to report to the Flames' rookie camp.

He returned to his home in Prince George, got into coaching, and soon discovered it satisfied his hockey soul. He started with the bantam Tier 2 team and worked his way up to the top minor hockey team in the city, the midget Tier 1 Coast Inn of the North Cougars. This past season, he guided the Cougars all the way to the provincial championship banner.

"I'm happy again, and that was the biggest thing, I wasn't happy playing," said Howse, who turns 25 in July. "My emotions and passion for the game of hockey just was not there any more. It got beaten out of me and it sucked. And now, I think I've found it again. Ninety per cent of the time, I'm smiling at the rink. I'm very happy with what I'm doing now and loving it and hopefully I can keep getting better at it.

"It is what it is with me and Calgary and I'll just keep it between us and them, but I just didn't enjoy it. Now, with every kid I teach, I make sure they're enjoying what they do and they love it and that's how I build my relationships with the kids. It all comes down to pushing kids to the next level the proper way."

He took the high road, but it does make you wonder what went down. Sounds like he's happy now though, and that's what's most important. I'm happy he's found something that allowed him to reconnect with the game and those kids will benefit from that the most.

[Svartsengi]

I do remember the Flames staff being concerned with his nutrition and fitness level. I remember a Jay Feaster interview on Fan 960 when he mentioned the Flames had a nutritionist actually go with Ryan to the grocery store and tell him what he should buy to eat and why he needed to eat it. Ryan loved his fast food too much though. Don't recall if this was before he lost his passion for the game or not.

[btimbit]

I think reading about guys that got burnt out by the pro life and then come back to finding their love of their game is something I just love reading about, it makes me happy. Good for him

[N-E-B]

Strange, I just shared a Facebook memory today predicting Ryan Howse to be the next Ovechkin.

I wish that had come true.

Good to see his passion back. I've heard lots of guys talk about how once you get to junior it's not about fun anymore. It's a business and I get it, but you never like seeing people lose interest in something they're so passionate about.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Svartsengi

I do remember the Flames staff being concerned with his nutrition and fitness level. I remember a Jay Feaster interview on Fan 960 when he mentioned the Flames had a nutritionist actually go with Ryan to the grocery store and tell him what he should buy to eat and why he needed to eat it. Ryan loved his fast food too much though. Don't recall if this was before he lost his passion for the game or not.

I think Ward was a terrible coach for prospects. IIRC he outright questioned Howse's motivation based on the simple fact he did not drive, there are many reasons people choose not to drive, judging a person on that seemed very narrow minded to me.

[indes]

There's a ton of reasons for losing your drive to be the best. Myself at one point was being scouted for the Swiss junior team as I have Swiss citizenship, I just didn't want to deal with it. The commitment level is astronomical for a young person, it really isn't for everyone. The dedication required for these guys to make it as far as they do is extremely taxing and unless you have the skill to be a top flight prospect it's very easy for it to be overwhelming.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by indes

There's a ton of reasons for losing your drive to be the best. Myself at one point was being scouted for the Swiss junior team as I have Swiss citizenship, I just didn't want to deal with it. The commitment level is astronomical for a young person, it really isn't for everyone. The dedication required for these guys to make it as far as they do is extremely taxing and unless you have the skill to be a top flight prospect it's very easy for it to be overwhelming.

Absolutely. I won't go Into details but I know the family of a current Flames prospect and his mother has some horror stories about scouts and the pressures and difficulties involved. I haven't spoken to her since the player in question was in juniors and now that he's in the AHL I can't imagine it's gotten any better.

Not saying the process needs to be easy but gotta remember these are kids

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I think Ward was a terrible coach for prospects. IIRC he outright questioned Howse's motivation based on the simple fact he did not drive, there are many reasons people choose not to drive, judging a person on that seemed very narrow minded to me.

I viewed Ward as the polar opposite actually. He seemed as interested in how the prospects were developing as people just as much as they were developing as players, and did a lot of extra stuff outside the rink. He was a player's coach through and through, and always seemed to take time out of his own life to help a prospect it seemed.

I guess we will not really know what happened for sure unless Howse and other prospects decide to air their experiences - good and/or bad.