(Submitted by Alex Hoegler, BCHL Communications)
A Coquitlam Express netminder named Tyger will fittingly join the feline family this fall.
Tyger Howat, who just completed his second season in the BCHL, will join the Northern Michigan Wildcats of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA,) for 2016-17.
The 20-year-old out of Newport, R.I. posted a 9-12-1 record with a .909 save percentage. He also played the 2013-14 season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Howat is one of four BCHLers joining the Wildcats next season, along with Chilliwack Chiefs forward Darien Craighead, and Penticton Vees forwards Luke Voltin and Demico Hannoun.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound goalie joins a Wildcats squad that featured seven BCHL alums this past season: Zach Urban (Langley Rivermen,) John Siemer (Penticton Vees,) defenceman Brock Maschmeyer (Nanaimo Clippers,) Darren Nowick (Vernon Vipers,) Cohen Adair (Powell River Kings,) Zach Diamantoni (Chilliwack Chiefs,) and Derek Dun (Nanaimo Clippers.)
Howat is one of seven Express players committed to an NCAA team in the fall, along with Charlie Barrow (Holy Cross,) Jackson Cressey (Princeton,) Colton Kerfoot (Harvard,) Austin McIlMurray (Sacred Heart,) Mitch Newsome (Michigan Tech,) and Jack Surowiec (Holy Cross.)
Northern Michigan plays in the WCHA, along with Alabama-Huntsville, Alaska-Anchorage, Alaska, Bemidji State, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, and Minnesota State.
