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Howdeshell Sticks With Michigan Roots

By Laurel Young, 01/15/17, 10:00AM EST

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Keeghan Howdeshell Muskegon Lumberjacks USA Hockey National Team Development Program

Photo Courtesy of Muskegon Lumberjacks

When the Muskegon Lumberjacks come to USA Hockey Arena Monday to face the U.S. National Under-17 Team, it’ll be like walking into his home rink for one Lumberjack.

Keeghan Howdeshell, a 6-foot-1-inch, 208-pound Brighton, Michigan, native has been playing out of USA Hockey Arena, formerly known as Compuware Arena, since his youth hockey days and, most recently, it served as home ice while he was with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

This season, however, is peculiar for Howdeshell as he walks to the opposite side of the rink to the visitor’s locker room.

 “It’s different playing on the opposite side but at the end of the day it’s the same people I played with last year on the U18s and same coaching staff. It’s a lot different but always fun being back in that building and playing there,” Howdeshell said.

While he enjoys coming back to the all-too familiar rink, the match up is still just another game.

“I wouldn’t say it’s more motivating, it is different there’s no special feeling, it’s just going out there and playing the game.”

Howdeshell credits the NTDP and staff with making him the player and person he is today.

“Over the two years, the coaches and staff taught me how to be not only a great hockey player on the ice, but also a great person off the ice. Whether it’s showing someone your full attention or just being kind to one another or always lending a hand. Putting in the work the last two years every single day on the ice, working out and having the grind of school everyday and waking up early, I think all those combine for who I am today.”

Howdeshell tallied nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 58 games last year in his last season with the NTDP. He was part of the bronze medal winning team at the IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship in Grand Forks, North Dakota, last year and the 2015 U18 Five Nations winning squad in Switzerland.

“In my U18 year we went to Switzerland, just being in the mountains and playing hockey for your country and playing against other countries, I think that was one of the best experiences of my hockey career. Also playing in the U18 Worlds in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in front of all these people and representing your country on home soil, was special. Those were the best two experiences so far.”

The two programs, the NTDP and the Lumberjacks, are not too dissimilar according to Howdeshell. While specific workouts and drills are unique to each, the USHL rivals have similar goals and Howdeshell has enjoyed representing both organizations.

Next year, Howdeshell will be representing another team fairly close to home when he suits up for the Ferris State University Bulldogs.

“It was one of those schools I grew up watching and going to their games. I didn’t really intend to stay close to home the last few years it just ended up that way but I enjoy being closer to home so it’s a good thing.”

Before he heads to Big Rapids, Michigan, though, he’ll face his former team twice more starting Monday, January 16, at the rink he grew up in.

Keeghan Howdeshell Muskegon Lumberjacks USA Hockey National Team Development Program

Howdeshell with the NTDP in 2015-16.

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