also wonder if this isn't a good thing for the Flames with contract limits etc. He is on year three of his entry level contract, so the Flames haven't had to assess his validity for a contract for two plus years. the Flames may be happy he's voiding his contract and getting suspended; frees up another spot.
The contract can be voided if Howse is in violation of the contract OR if he clears "unconditional" ($152) waivers. That can't happen until October, I believe.
The contract can be voided if Howse is in violation of the contract OR if he clears "unconditional" ($152) waivers. That can't happen until October, I believe.
Absolutely - and let's face it - the kid has almost a 0 percent change of making it now. He was drafted because he had one skill in spades - hands. His skating was always a concern and then add to that ongoing conditioning issues - and here we are.
No sense paying the kid for another year, or using a roster spot on him. Best for all parties to move on.
The guys on the radio said (I believe) that he opted for his other 6 figure career.
I don't know much about his education or other prospects but spending years making 60-80 shooting for the 550+ payday can add up. Maybe he didn't see the dream panning out, especially given the new prospect depth. Disappointing if the potential was realizable, but more than fair if the hurdle was in his view insurmountable. Perhaps a mature decision.
And I do not suspect the Flames were surprised or not aware. The suspension for not reporting is likely merely a technicality, part of the process. I do not think he is disgraced.
I recall back in 95-96 the Raptors acquired some guy named Martin Lewis.
They had some hopes for him to turn out half decent because he had a lot of raw athleticism (guy could really leap). Unfortunately for them, he was apparently out of shape to start the year and was kept on the inactive list for the majority of that season because of that.
He ended up playing 16 games for the Raps averaging 11.6 mins per game & 4.7 points per game. They then released or waived him at the end of the 95-96 season, but subsequently brought him back late in the 96-97 season thanks to a rash of Raptors' injuries. Sure enough, at the beginning of the 97-98 season he was found to be woefully out of shape again during training camp and was cut once again. This time for good.
Quote:
In the team's inaugural season, one of the best pure athletes in the gym was unknown Martin Lewis, a refugee from various leagues. He's best remembered for a dunk over 7-foot-5 Shawn Bradley in the team's first exhibition game that had jaws dropping. He didn't stick that year and was invited back to camp a second time, when he was, well, less than fit. After one day of working out, he was seen lying on an elevated running track around the gym at the facility the team was using in Buffalo. Muscle spasms due to the workout? "No, he's having body spasms," was how one team official put it. Lewis was cut a day or so later.
He then played in the IBA with the Winnipeg Cyclone for a few years before joining the NBDL, then finishing his basketball career in the USBL in 2002 at the age of 27.
Point is, I hope lack of fitness isn't the biggest reason why Howse is now on the suspended list (as that has been an issue for Howse in the past) and hope he has a better career than the one above.
I am disappointed in the wild speculation in this thread.
The most likely situation is he wants out of his contract, probably think he will get a better chance elsewhere or is looking into European options.
Considering the depth of prospects of other NHL teams compared to the Flames, this scenerio seems highly unlikely to me. And Europeon teams I'm not sure are not into unmotivated, lazy, kids. While on one hand I'm dissapointed that he had a lot of work put into him by the organization to try and teach him how to live and train like a professional, and he seemed to be on the right track, and now he basically craps on it, it seems just as well now. Some got it, some don't, and some that got it throw it away like nothing cause they got their own issues or don't appreciate the life they were helped given by their parents, coaches etc. Not everyone is cut out to be a professional and a big part of that is mental. So I hope he is ok on that front- wish him well.
Best of luck to him in whatever he chooses to do next.
Didn't work out for the Flames, but I suppose a silver lining is that in watching Howse in Chilliwack the scouts also got to know Roman Horak. Without Howse, we might not have thought to get Horak who remains a legitimate prospect for the Flames.
By quoting my post which referenced none of those? Either way.. It sounds like this was a decision he's made and has shared with the Flames as opposed to simply not showing up.
Wish him all the best.
Sorry. I was mostly referring to the other speculation, but didn't want to quote it. Yours caught my eye for the wondering about a "serious personal situation", which is why I quoted it, but I apologize for unintentionally lumping that in with the other speculative commentary.
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Too bad he didn't work out. This kid could shoot, and aside from being over-weight was also a bit stocky and would go to the corners.
He was a project, and sometimes these projects don't work out. Great hands, but didn't have the work-ethic to make it as a pro. Lots of kids can't make the leap into the pro ranks exactly because of this.
Ferland has seemingly got his stuff together, and I can't wait to see him later. Hopefully he is in shape and has realized what it takes to become a pro.
A 22yr old drunk on a saturday night, sounds like a real substance abuse issue.
Well addiction is characterized by "repetition of a behaviour despite adverse consequences", which may apply if it played a part of his no-show at camp.
If I were to bet on what's going on with Howse, I'd say soon after the season ended, he fell back into his bad eating and lack of workout cycle. He gained back all the weight he had once lost, he came into development camp and knew he effed up. The coaches and trainers got disappointed in his lack of physical discipline.
Then, because of a complete lack of self-esteem and growing competition in the prospect base, he didn't show up to main camp. The team suspended him. He hit rock bottom.
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