Pittsburgh Penguins prospects are emerging, and NHL ice is within reach for several. And one, Ville Koivunen, even got an eight-year contract this summer.

But there is one prospect with a top-level pedigree that Penguins fans haven’t seen much of and who isn’t yet in the NHL conversation, though it is far from his fault. Tanner Howe was the team’s second-round pick in the 2024 Draft and came with great promise.

The scrappy winger’s pedigree included being part of Team Canada in the 2025 World Junior Championship. As a former linemate of Connor Bedard when the pair played for the Regina Pats, he held his own with a 36-goal, 85-point season leading to his selection by the Penguins with the 46th overall pick. He was on track to impress and get on the short track to the big show, but that’s when his career took a left turn.

First, a significant shoulder injury cost him much of the 2024-25 season, then a torn ACL in the 2025 WHL playoffs cost him most of the 2025-26 season.

Howe, 20, isn’t a power forward but a winger with net-front skills and a joy of playing physical. At 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, he has an aggressive streak in his game. He turned pro last season and was able to rehab with the Penguins organization but didn’t hit the ice until the final couple of months of the season. Howe was able to play 27 regular-season games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, scoring eight goals with eight assists. In 14 playoff games, Howe added five more points (3-2-5) with 30 penalty minutes, 20 of which were accrued via misconduct penalties in some of the wilder WBS playoff games.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now spoke with Howe about the ride, playing catch-up with his fellow prospects, and the entertainment options for an under-21 player in Wilkes-Barre.

Tanner Howe

PHN: You had a hell of a year last year. The ups and the downs of the rehab, and then landing mid-season. What was that like for you? That had to be pretty difficult.

Howe: Yeah, I’d say it’s pretty challenging. At the start, it’s tough sitting in the rafters every game for the first half, watching your team play. And obviously, you want to get out there, but you know us and the Pit organization trainers wanted my knee to be healthy, and we took some time and made sure it was good. And I’m glad we did that because when I came back, I felt strong, and, you know, I felt great out there. It was a fun year.

PHN: What was the feeling like (for your first game)? In the last couple of years, I guess you have been a little bit injury-wracked. When you finally hit the ice, you’re fully healthy, what’s the feeling then?

Howe: Yeah, it was … it felt awesome. You know, a little bit of nerves leading up to it, but it was good to finally get out there and play my first pro game. So it was pretty cool.

PHN: I imagine you had a phone full of texts and everybody pretty happy for you.

Howe: Yeah, definitely. All my family just watched it and stuff. Just a super cool day.

PHN: How different is this summer for you compared to the last couple? I mean, I imagine you can get into the kind of prep you really want to do, finally.

Howe: Yeah, I think the last two summers I’ve been injured for a good chunk of them. So this is a really big summer for myself, and I’m seeing a pace in pro hockey, and what I can do to get to the next level is huge. I’ve gone into this summer with a lot of motivation and getting better, and so yeah, it’s a big summer.

PHN: You know, I know all the cliches. I guess I’ve done this job way too long, but how big– how big of a jump is there from Western Hockey League, even Team Canada and the World Juniors, into the AHL?

Howe: Yeah, I think it’s obviously a big jump. It’s really cliché, but guys are bigger and stronger. I think that’s the biggest thing. I think, you know, the CHL, the WHL, or whatever, has a pretty similar play style, and (the WHL), it’s a hardworking league. I think I’m kind of used to that, and that’s kind of the game I like to play. So it wasn’t a big change that way, but I think you’re going against guys that are 10 years older than you or whatnot. So I think that’s kind of the biggest change.

PHN: Well, yeah, Toronto (Marlies) certainly had a few guys that were more than 10 years older than you, didn’t they?

Howe: Exactly.

PHN: You know, I’ve talked to Ville (Koivunen) a couple times over the last couple of years about, specifically, he likes to stir the pot just a little bit, too. But I guess there were times when he was timid or didn’t feel confident enough to really bring the physicality into his game. He sort of had to work up to it. Did you find that, or do you want to get into that and make that part of your game (immediately)?

Howe: Yeah, I think throughout junior, it has always been a part of my game, and I think that makes me the player I am, and I don’t ever want to shy away from that. But you know, obviously, your first year, you’re not scared, but you don’t want to pick on the wrong guy. I like that side of the game, and I think it’s fun, and it kind of gets you in the game, so yeah…

PHN: Yeah. You’re not going to have Boko (Imama) next year, so yeah, you have to pick the right guy.

Howe: (Laugh) Exactly. Yeah, you won’t have Boko to go back you up.

PHN: Did you get enough games at the end of last year to kind of get a sense of your station, like where your game is? Or (were the games) just sort of getting back up to speed?

Howe: I think you know I still have a lot to give. I think obviously coming off not playing for eight months, or whatever it was, is especially tough. And I think it took kind of the first, you know, 15 to 20 games to kind of get my legs under me and just figure things out again. But going into playoffs, I felt really good. I felt like myself. It was obviously a lot more, but it’s fun to be myself again, playing the game that I love.

PHN: So, what is this coming season going to be about for you? Like, are there any benchmarks you’re setting for yourself in terms of statistics or certain things you want to achieve?

Howe: Not statistics. I think just being better, being really consistent, and getting better each and every day. And I think if I do that, eventually I can, hopefully, make it to the NHL. And you know, obviously, obviously that’s the main goal.

PHN: Yeah, I imagine the Penguins have been in pretty close communication with you over the last year, but maybe even especially the last couple of months. What are some of the tips they gave you towards the end of last year in terms of your game?

Howe: Yeah, I think I want to work on my foot speed. I think that’s a big thing. You know, the NHL is a fast, fast-paced game, and guys are getting faster. So if I work on that and improve that, I think that’ll help a lot, and I think the biggest thing is just to keep my work ethic up.

PHN: So last question for you: What in the world does a guy under 21 do in Wilkes-Barre?

Howe: (Laugh). Not a … not a ton, to be honest. I lived in the house with three other guys, so that made it a lot better. But yeah, I couldn’t tell you what guys did when they were living alone … For sure, I lived with Owen Pickering, Atley Calvert, and Zack Gallant. So, it was a fun house.

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