Howse's contract terminated. Update: 'I don't want to play. My heart's not in it.'

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Today it doesn't but he will probably look back like many of us have as a poor decision we made in our youth.

I'm not trying to make this thread into something it isn't, but regret goes both ways. You can regret not putting more effort into something, and you can also regret putting effort and time into something that you weren't truly passionate about.

This could turn out to be the best decision he has made in his life.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

its hard to relate to not liking to play hockey in the NHL when that is the ultimate goal of every hockey player.
Hopefully he never regrets this decision looking back later on in life.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Actually it sucks for Howse. I don't know if his family is well off and maybe he doesn't have to worry about a career but if he doesn't have that to fall back on he's going to go through times where he will realize he let the chance of a lifetime slip through his fingers to make six figures or higher annually to play a sport. Oh well hope he finds happiness after hockey.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Today it doesn't but he will probably look back like many of us have as a poor decision we made in our youth.

Tough for a lot of us to imagine, but even hockey can become just a dull job. A grind. Especially if it's been the focus of your life since you were 8 or 9. Week in, week out. Training. Practice. Barking coaches. For 15 years already by the time you're an AHLer trying to make the NHL.

The burnout among young hockey players in Canada is well documented. It's going to happen to more and more. Get used to it. Kids who are serious about hockey these days do almost nothing but hockey for the entirety of their childhood and youth. Some of them eat up every minute of it and never lose the passion. For a great many, even a great many of the elite players, that's not the case. And there are lots of guys who do make to the NHL and have long careers who are just there for a paycheque.

Frankly, I respect someone who decides it isn't for him at 22 and finds something else to do with his life more than someone who has a 12 year career in the NHL out of mercenary motives.

And if we're all supposed to regret any decision we make that impacts our future earnings, then I guess all those 19 and 20 year olds in Canada who aren't getting a welding ticket will end up regretting not being able to make $130,000 a year in Fort Mac. Or maybe they'll be okay doing something they actually like and earning $50,000.

[username]

It reminds me of Jared Aulin. The guy quit on his career and went from the NHL to slinging beers at cowboys in four years. Ya he had injuries but didn't want to put in the work to get back to where he was. He's regretting it now as he's just trying to make a living playing in Europe.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

I bet there are thousands of undrafted players since Howse was drafted that would pay good money to be in a NHL teams system. I just don't get that attitude , oh well Se La Vie'

The interesting thing about hockey players is that they're also human beings, and sometimes they decide that they don't really want to be hockey players anymore. I bet a lot of guys would kill to be in his shoes, that doesn't change the fact that he didn't want to play anymore and therefore made the choice that he felt was best for him. If anything I give the kid credit for making what was almost certainly a very difficult choice.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I doubt that as believe it or not for many playing hockey is "living the dream" regardless of the league. I think he had the talent to at least have an AHL career which isn't a bad living. Regardless he's made his choice and is now part of the past.

An AHL career isn't a bad living? I guess if you consider a few years at $75,000 or so with limited long term earning potential, a profession that puts you at constant risk of life changing injury, a demanding travel schedule and little to no certainty as to where you'll be employed next week a good living that's true. If you love what you're doing that's not a bad living. If you don't that sounds like a pretty stupid thing to pursue.

[Northendzone]

It would be interesting to hear more from Ryan on this........

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by valo403

An AHL career isn't a bad living? I guess if you consider a few years at $75,000 or so with limited long term earning potential, a profession that puts you at constant risk of life changing injury, a demanding travel schedule and little to no certainty as to where you'll be employed next week a good living that's true. If you love what you're doing that's not a bad living. If you don't that sounds like a pretty stupid thing to pursue.

Agree. The guys I know who chased the dream through the minors for years making $30-40k/year (this was the 90's) and having to move routinely from Knoxville to Brownsville to Phoenix to Knoxville to Somewheresville hit 30 years old and realized it was time to come home and start a life. That's when the reality kicked in and it was time to get some schmuck job that their friends had at 19, making next to nothing and trying to establish themselves in the real world. Many of them loved the experience and can tell you great stories about being the king of some 2 horse town each hockey season, but I know most of them would have given it up much earlier if they really took a step back and saw how it would impact their grown up lives.

[nightfx]

Sounds to me like he only enjoyed playing when he could get by with talent alone.

Once things started to get tough at the pro level he began to lose interest.

Not sure if it's a good idea to quit hockey if he has no plans going forward...

[CaptainCrunch]

Good for him for being honest, and moving on to do something else. Dragging it on would have probably been tough on him mentally.

I think he saw the writing on the wall and didn't have the desire and dedication to play hockey anymore.

Good luck in your next career path.

[Galakanokis]

There been lots of guys bail on hockey. I want to say Stefan Legion? bailed just after being drafted. He was not going to be a star but still would have been a good NHLer. Had a great couple of World Jr tournaments.

He just up and quite, burnt out.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by mikeecho

Agree. The guys I know who chased the dream through the minors for years making $30-40k/year (this was the 90's) and having to move routinely from Knoxville to Brownsville to Phoenix to Knoxville to Somewheresville hit 30 years old and realized it was time to come home and start a life. That's when the reality kicked in and it was time to get some schmuck job that their friends had at 19, making next to nothing and trying to establish themselves in the real world. Many of them loved the experience and can tell you great stories about being the king of some 2 horse town each hockey season, but I know most of them would have given it up much earlier if they really took a step back and saw how it would impact their grown up lives.

Bull####. Spoken like someone who's never even had a real dream, let alone chased it. Better to go down fighting tooth and nail into oblivion than ever wuss out.

I eagerly await your inspiring, made-for-tv-movie summary of your personal fight against all odds to fulfill the life-long dream you've always had.

As for Howse, I say good for him. I think a LOT of posters on this board know what it's like to have the intellect and skills to do whatever the hell they want, and despite the best-intentions (yet brutal ignorance) of even the closest people to them, they forge their own path regardless. That is a lot of dough to walk away from, and it makes me respect Howse a lot more for it.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Bull####. Spoken like someone who's never even had a real dream, let alone chased it. Better to go down fighting tooth and nail into oblivion than ever wuss out.

I eagerly await your inspiring, made-for-tv-movie summary of your personal fight against all odds to fulfill the life-long dream you've always had.

Woah, calm down. No need to be an ass. He was just giving his feelings on some personal acquaintances and their experiences.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Bull####. Spoken like someone who's never even had a real dream, let alone chased it. Better to go down fighting tooth and nail into oblivion than ever wuss out.

I eagerly await your inspiring, made-for-tv-movie summary of your personal fight against all odds to fulfill the life-long dream you've always had.

As for Howse, I say good for him. I think a LOT of posters on this board know what it's like to have the intellect and skills to do whatever the hell they want, and despite the best-intentions (yet brutal ignorance) of even the closest people to them, they forge their own path regardless. That is a lot of dough to walk away from, and it makes me respect Howse a lot more for it.

Are you f'in serious? If so, that's spoken like someone who's not smart enough to actually become an adult one day and realize that some dreams aren't going to be caught. Grow up.

[Erick Estrada]

Man way too many bleading hearts here. Even the Flames think the kid hasn't thought this out very well and they know the kid a lot more than anonymous posters here applauding a young man for being a slacker and quitter.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Man way too many bleading hearts here. Even the Flames think the kid hasn't thought this out very well and they know the kid a lot more than anonymous posters here applauding a young man for being a slacker and quitter.

They seemed surprised by the decision so it doesn't seem that they are all that clued in to what is going on with the kid and they could easily be out to lunch in terms of knowing what plans he does or doesn't have.

Not sure that he is a slacker or a quitter at all.

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Man way too many bleading hearts here. Even the Flames think the kid hasn't thought this out very well and they know the kid a lot more than anonymous posters here applauding a young man for being a slacker and quitter.

I guess just different ways of interpreting posts, but I wasn't reading where other posters were applauding a young man for being a slacker and quitter, but more were applauding him for the courage of being honest with himself. Now if he is actually honest and goes on to pursue his true passion best of luck to him.

As a father all I want for my child is to wake up and enjoy rather love whatever it is that he has chosen to pursue in life. I will preface that with as long as it's legal of course. Don't just do something for the money or because you are good at it, but do it because you love it.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Man way too many bleading hearts here. Even the Flames think the kid hasn't thought this out very well and they know the kid a lot more than anonymous posters here applauding a young man for being a slacker and quitter.

Bleeding hearts?
Slacker?
Quitter?

Could you be anymore cliched in your opinion?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Bleeding hearts?
Slacker?
Quitter?

Could you be anymore cliched in your opinion?

Yeah, he really gave it 110% there.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Man way too many bleading hearts here. Even the Flames think the kid hasn't thought this out very well and they know the kid a lot more than anonymous posters here applauding a young man for being a slacker and quitter.

I wouldn't put too much stock in what the Flames have to say about it. I mean what could they say? They invested time and money in the guy, and he decides to take a different path. Happens all the time in all walks of like. Doesn't make Howse a bad or clueless kid.

[Ducay]

People here are angry because he gave up "the dream" all us plebs have (to get paid to play), but most people don't realize the AHL and ECHL isn't the same as the NHL lifestyle. Its a grind, and I can see it getting painful if you're not dedicated and working towards getting a call up.
If he has no drive or beliefs he'll make the big show, he's probably better off getting a quicker start to another career. Smart move for the kid. Probably make way more than $67k in PG anyways.