After spending the last five seasons with the Florida Panthers organization, left winger Quinton Howden has signed a two-way, one-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets. The contract is worth $650,000.
The #NHLJets have signed forward Quinton Howden to a one-year, two-way contract worth an AAV of $650,000 in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/L3Kv3o9kgq
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) July 1, 2016
24 years old, Howden has spent most of his pro hockey tenure with the San Antonio Rampage, Florida’s farm team. He did not receive a qualifying offer from the Panthers, making him available to the Jets as a UFA.
Quinton Howden Signs with the Winnipeg Jets
Quinton Howden stands in at 6’2″ and weighs 189 lbs. A first-round draft pick in 2010, Howden is an Oakbank, Manitoba product. Thrilled beyond belief, his parents couldn’t believe the news. His mom dropped the phone and his dad thought he was joking when he called to say he signed with the Jets. Playing for the Jets is a dream for natives of Manitoba, hence their ecstatic reactions.
Most interesting is the underdog element to Quinton Howden’s story. At the age of five, he was the victim of a gruesome tricycle accident. Riding on the rocks in his front yard, he took a tumble and snapped his femur in half. His father was notified and rushed home to see the harsh circumstances. His boy was curled up on the boulevard crying.
Quinton was taken to the hospital, where his parents were notified that his legs were likely to grow at different lengths. This obviously made it doubtful that he’d be able to participate in competitive sports.
The next year however, his femur healed and his legs had grown properly. He gave hockey a shot and the rest is history. The combination of being a Cinderella Story and hometown product will make Quinton Howden a player Jets fans want to root for.
Howden has collected 17 points in 92 NHL games. He will start his journey in the Jets organization with their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.
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