Steve Howard played for Brockport in the 2000-2001 season. In 15 games as a defenseman he put up good numbers with 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points and just 2 penalty minutes.
He has been appointed the coach and general manager of the NAHL's Austin Bruins. Here's the press release...
The Austin Bruins, proud members of the North American Hockey League
announced on Monday that they have hired Steve Howard as their new head
coach and general manager. Howard becomes the third head coach in Bruins
history following Kyle Grabowski’s departure two weeks ago.
Howard has spent the last three seasons as the assistant for the
USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks, coaching under longtime bench boss P.K.
O’Handley.
“We are tremendously excited for Steve,” said O’Handley. “On behalf
of the Black Hawks organization, I would like to congratulate Steve.
His enthusiasm for the game shines through whether he is working with
young kids, NHL Draft prospects, or talking with Black Hawks fans.”
Howard stressed his appreciation for the Black Hawks and excitement for joining the Bruins.
“I would like to thank the entire organization. Black Hawks
ownership, staff, fans, and players are proud of Waterloo’s status as an
elite junior hockey destination in North America, and they take the
‘once a Hawk, always a Hawk’ sentiment seriously. It is something I am
proud to have been part of,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the
opportunity to work for the Bruins – an organization that has had a lot
of success in recent years. I’m excited to work with such a great staff
in Keenan Kelly, Brad Clayton and Howie Borden. I want to thank owners
Mike Cooper and Craig Patrick for the opportunity.”
Howard, 38 years old, hails from Burton, MI and has been
well-traveled as both a player and coach. He began his playing career in
the NAHL, spending time with the Gaylord Grizzlies and Danville Wings
in 1997-98. After stints in the OPJHL and SEHL, Howard played one season
collegiately at DIII SUNY Brockport (Rochester, NY). He then spent the
next seven seasons playing minor league hockey including stints in the
ECHL, SPHL, and even internationally, playing the final two seasons of
his pro career in Holland. Howard isn’t a stranger to Minnesota, as he
spent the four years following his retirement in the Minnesota
Advancement Program (MAP), “providing direction, training, &
advancement for elite hockey players in Minnesota.”
“We’re very excited to have Steve come on board as our Head
Coach/GM,” said Bruins owner Craig Patrick. “His playing experience
along with his head coaching and recent USHL tenure in Waterloo are a
huge plus for us. Steve has great connections at all levels and has a
reputation for putting a tough, high caliber team on the ice.”
Prior to coaching in Waterloo, Howard was the head-man for the Flint
Junior Generals of the NA3HL and saw great success, coaching them to a
two-year regular season record of 69-21-4. He led the Generals to an
Eastern Division Championship and an appearance in the USA Hockey Tier
III National Junior Tournament and was named NA3HL Coach of the Year in
2013-14.
“I think Austin is the perfect Junior hockey town,” Howard said. “I love [Riverside] Arena and the overall atmosphere.”
Howard says fans should expect a physical brand of hockey on the ice
in 2017-18, as the Bruins seek a return to the Robertson Cup Playoffs.
“We want to be a team that our opponents don’t enjoy playing
against,” he said. “Guys are going to stand up for one another out
there.”
Howard will join the Bruins at the conclusion of Waterloo’s playoff
run. The Black Hawks are currently taking on Sioux City in the Western
Conference Final.
