Heart of a Lion

On April 11, 2025, Isaac ‘Ike’ Howard of Hudson, Wisconsin became the 45th Hobey Baker Award winner. Ike is the fourth Hobey winner that grew up in Wisconsin. In 1989 Lane MacDonald was the first, Will Butcher was second in 2017, and Cole Caufield third in 2021.

Since 1981 the Hobey Baker Award has been bestowed annually to the most outstanding college player. In addition to exceptional hockey skills, the Hobey recipient must demonstrate integrity, sportsmanship and strength of character.

The award is named after Hobart ‘Hobey’ Baker who played hockey and football for Princeton from 1910-14. Hobey is the first American to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, and is the only person inducted in both the College Football and US Hockey Hall of Fames. Hobey Baker died on December 21, 1918, at age 26 in a plane crash while serving in the U.S. Army during World War I.

According to Ike’s father, Tony, Ike’s initiation into hockey came early. “He started playing in diapers! He watched his two older brothers, and he was raring to go. He wanted to follow his brothers. They started with knee hockey.”

As a little boy, Ike tagged along with his older brothers to the ice rink. Tony coached, so Ike would get on ice and practice with the older kids. The extra ice time was beneficial for Ike’s skill development. Ike’s mom, Crystal, viewed Ike’s extra ice through a paradigm of a mom with four young children. “With Tony coaching it was like having a built-in babysitter!”

Even as a young kid, Ike’s work ethic was off the charts. Ike’s mom said, “He was a hockey fanatic. He would come home after practice and shoot pucks. He loved it. He always had a different gear. We didn’t do anything different with him compared to the others (three brothers). It was just inside him”.

Ike displayed exceptional hockey skills at an early age. Ike’s dad commented, “He was ahead of the game at mites. At squirts he was leaps and bounds ahead.” Crystal and Tony could see Ike was an extraordinary player. But they weren’t certain how good.

At age 9 or 10 Ike’s potential was illuminated. According to Ike’s mom, “We knew he had a little extra to him. We didn’t know how good; we thought he was good for Hudson. It wasn’t until someone in Minnesota saw him and asked him to try out for Brick. I think it was in Edina. Tony calls and tells me he is one of the best. He made the team.”

Ike remained in Hudson for the next several years and received advanced training in the nearby suburbs. In 9th grade Ike made a bold move by leaving home for Shattuck. Ike’s mom stated, “It was a hard decision to have our 14-year-old move out and go to boarding school. But looking back it was the best decision.”

Ike thrived at Shattuck, tallying approximately 150 points in two seasons. Scouts from colleges and USA Hockey took notice. After two years at Shattuck, Ike joined USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP), and he committed to the UMD Bulldogs. Ike continued his offensive prowess on the national stage by leading his NTDP team in scoring.

Following two seasons with NTDP, Ike was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2022 NHL draft. Two months after the NHL draft, Ike started his freshman season with UMD. Ike had six goals and eleven assists in 35 games with the Bulldogs.

After his freshman year, Ike needed a new lease on life, so he made the decision to transfer. He decided to play for a familiar face. Adam Nightingale was Ike’s coach at NTDP, and he was the new head coach at Michigan State (MSU). Ike and Coach Nightingale are on the same wavelength. Ike found his home with the Spartans.

Ike moved east and started school at MSU for his sophomore season. Before the hockey season started, the medical staff at MSU reviewed Ike’s medical records. The medical records indicated abnormalities in his heart. MSU’s medical staff ordered additional tests.

Ike’s mom shared, “He was diagnosed with a heart condition. It was flagged when he went to the draft. Cardiologists said it could be monitored. Doctors at Michigan State wanted to do more tests. We were on a Zoom call, and they told us he had Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, and he needed to have surgery. The surgery was successful. They fixed his heart. The cardiologist said this was a career ending surgery 10 years ago. It puts things in perspective. It can all go away. A new set of doctors saved his life. Everything happens for a reason. You have to be grateful.”

A person’s character surfaces during tense moments in life. Ike had difficulty walking for 10 days after the surgery. He didn’t wallow in self-pity. He wasn’t a victim. Ike remained positive, focused, and strong willed. He had a goal to accomplish. He needed to recover, get back on the ice, and be the best college hockey player. And that’s what he did!

Following heart surgery, by mid-season Ike was firing on all cylinders. In late December he joined Team USA for the World Juniors. Ike paved the way for a gold medal. He scored two goals in the gold medal game and was named the U.S. Player of the Game. Ike finished the season by helping MSU win a Big Ten championship while leading the team in points.

Ike returned for a spectacular second season at MSU that was culminated by winning the 2025 Hobey Baker Award. He led the Spartans to their first ever back-to-back Big Ten championship after scoring a dramatic double OT goal against Ohio State. Ike also led MSU in points for a second straight season and was named Big Ten MVP.

“As a young boy he knew what he wanted. His biggest asset is his compete level. He is the ultimate competitor and a guy you want on your team. His work ethic is second to none and he makes others better. I am very proud of him.” Mark Strobel, Ike’s squirt coach, former UW Badgers assistant coach and player

Let’s hear from Isaac Howard!

Congratulations on winning the Hobey Baker Award. Thank you!

What were your emotions hearing your name announced as the Hobey winner? It was surreal. Such a cool moment. I had my family, coach (MSU Head Coach), and people that mean a lot to share it with. I knew the other candidates well, we won a gold medal in Sweden, and they are great players. It was humbling.

Was this a similar feeling you had at the NHL draft? Yeah, definitely. The Hobey was even bigger. It felt bigger in that moment.

Who were the most influential people in your life growing up? Definitely my family. We have a tight family. My parents are blue collar people, and they worked to make my dream a reality. My brothers…hanging out with them competing and being knuckleheads.

Did your family attend the Hobey Award and NHL draft? Everyone was there for both.

What did it mean to you to have your family at the Hobey and NHL draft? It is super special. It is great to have them there for big moments in life. It is fun to be around them. We really have fun together.

What are your favorite memories of youth hockey? I loved playing pond hockey in the winter. Going to my brothers’ practices. I loved playing at Shattuck. I remember growing up in Hudson and winning the state championship.

What are some of your favorite memories of playing with NTDP? Playing my first USHL game. The international tournaments. Seeing the world; Germany, Sweden, Switzerland. Putting the USA jersey on. It is special putting the USA jersey on. It always is. Winning the gold medal last year capped everything off.

Your game is clicking at MSU…what do you attribute the success to? I think the resources here. Everything they offer I take advantage of. Extra ice, training sessions, film sessions, and the training staff is so good.

Did having heart surgery impact your perspective on life? Definitely has. It gave me a glimpse of what life could be without hockey. It makes me more grounded and appreciate the opportunities. Take advantage of the opportunities.

Do you feel attending MSU was meant to be or a divine intervention? Yes, I think it was. This place is special to me. The care they have for me is more than hockey. They look at me as a human. I will be forever grateful that the medical staff took the extra tests on my heart.

You are returning to MSU…what part of your game do you want to improve? I want to take on a leadership role. Help grow my leadership with the young players coming in. On the ice to get stronger, faster, better with the puck and without the puck.

Where is your dream vacation? Maybe Hawaii. Surfing, deep-sea fishing, the beach.

Pickup truck or sports car? Sports car. Pink and light blue Lamborghini!

Chocolate cake, brownie, or apple pie? Chocolate cake.

Is there a book you’ve read that positively influenced you? Mind Gym. Alex Rodriguez is the author. It’s a book on the mental side. Believing in yourself. I recommend that book. It can help beyond athletics. Your mental performance impacts your physical performance.

What advice do you have for kids that want to play after HS? Focus on yourself and what you need to do. You have to do stuff that makes you uncomfortable. There are sacrifices you need to make.

Ike’s parents, Tony and Crystal, currently live in Hudson, Wisconsin. The high school sweethearts from St. Paul have four sons, each separated by a couple years. Anthony is the oldest, followed by Mason, Ike, and Eli. Crystal continues to be a key volunteer for the hockey program in Hudson even after her children have graduated.

Ike’s mental toughness, work ethic, and positivity is inspirational!

Yours for hockey, Matt Carey

Article 2 of Wisconsin Success Story