Prince Albert's own Tanner Howe will represent Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup from July 31 to Aug. 6. (Keith Hershmiller/Regina Pats)

By Rob Mahon

Howe for Hlinka Gretzky

‘We want gold’: Prince Albert’s Howe eager to don Canadian jersey at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Jul 27, 2022 | 12:00 PM

While representing his country on the international stage will never get old for him, Tanner Howe is beginning to get used to it.

For the second time in less than four months, the Prince Albert native will wear Canada’s colors at an international event next week as he has been named to Canada’s roster for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer, Alta.

“Obviously it’s an elite group of guys here, and during camp you could tell,” Howe said. “I was pretty nervous going into the meeting to see if you were going to make it or not. Obviously, making it is pretty cool and it’s an honor to represent your country.”

In April, Howe was part of Canada’ squad at the World Under-18 Championships along with Regina Pats teammate, Connor Bedard. Although he’s the youngest player on his team — something else he’s getting accustomed to after being one of the youngest players in the WHL last season — he’s got more international experience than many of his teammates.

“If guys have questions or anything about how the other teams play or something about the experience I had, I can help with anything,” said Howe. “That helps a lot.”

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While his running mate, Bedard, is not on this team, since he’ll be representing Canada at the World Juniors in Edmonton the next week, Howe already knew a lot of his teammates as opponents.

This iteration of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup team is full of WHLers, including seven players from the Eastern Conference. Howe would have played against many of his teammates multiple times in the 2021-22 campaign.

“It’s pretty cool to have that many guys from the Western (league),” Howe said. “We kind of all know each other pretty well. It helps with our team bonding.”

The big difference between the U18s and the Hlinka Gretzky comes in the timing. Because the latter falls in the summer, almost every player in Canada is available to compete for a spot on the team. As such, Canada’s results at the Hlinka Gretzky have typically been excellent. In the 30 years the tournament has been held — one of which Canada did not participate in — they’ve won the gold medal 22 times.

“Obviously we want gold,” said Howe. “I think that’s our one goal here.”

Howe added that part of his focus this offseason has been to get more explosive. Last season, his first full campaign in the WHL, he posted 27 goals and 69 points in 64 games.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup runs from July 31 to Aug. 6. Canada opens play against the Switzerland on July 31 at 7:00.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP