When Brett Howden was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021, few could have predicted the arc his career would take. From a depth forward in New York, he emerged as a key two-way center on a championship team.

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Age: 28 · Height: 6’2″ · Weight: 201 lbs · Position: Center · Team: Vegas Golden Knights · Contract: 5 years, $12.5M

Quick snapshot

1Player Info
2Contract
  • 5-year, $12.5M extension signed in 2024 (NHL.com)
  • $2.5M cap hit annually (NHL.com)
  • Runs through 2029-30 season (NHL.com)
3Trade to Vegas
42023 Playoffs
  • 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in 22 games (Hockey-Reference)
  • Played vital two-way role (Hockey-Reference)
  • Helped Golden Knights win Stanley Cup (Hockey-Reference)

Six key facts, one pattern: Brett Howden’s career is defined by steady growth and a championship payoff.

Label Value
Full Name Brett Howden (ESPN)
Birthdate March 29, 1998 (ESPN)
Birthplace Calgary, AB, Canada (ESPN)
Height 6’2″ (Hockey-Reference)
Weight 201 lbs (Hockey-Reference)
Position Center (ESPN)
Shoots Left (Hockey-Reference)
NHL Draft 2016 round 1 #27 (Tampa Bay Lightning) (Hockey-Reference)
Current Team Vegas Golden Knights (ESPN)
Contract 5 years, $12.5M (2024-2029) (NHL.com)

Who is Brett Howden?

Early life and background

  • Brett Howden is a Canadian ice hockey center for the Vegas Golden Knights (ESPN)
  • Born March 29, 1998 in Calgary, Alberta (ESPN)
  • Drafted in 2016 by the Tampa Bay Lightning (Hockey-Reference)

Career overview

  • Made NHL debut with Tampa Bay in 2018 (Hockey-Reference)
  • Traded to New York Rangers in 2021 (Elite Sports NY)
  • Acquired by Vegas Golden Knights in July 2021 (Elite Sports NY)
Bottom line: Brett Howden transitioned from a first-round pick to a reliable two-way center, earning a multi-year commitment from the defending Stanley Cup champions.
The upshot

Howden’s 2023 playoff performance (10 points in 22 games) proved he could deliver when it mattered, turning a trade piece into a core forward.

How old is Brett Howden?

Birthdate and age

  • Born March 29, 1998 (ESPN)
  • Age 28 as of 2025 (Spotrac)

Birthplace and upbringing

  • Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (ESPN)
  • Grew up in Oakbank, Manitoba (Hockey-Reference)

The pattern: Howden’s age and birthplace placed him in the heart of Canadian hockey development, setting the stage for a first-round selection.

Where did Brett Howden grow up?

Childhood in Oakbank, Manitoba

  • Grew up in Oakbank, Manitoba (Hockey-Reference)
  • Played junior hockey for the Moose Jaw Warriors (Hockey-Reference)

Hockey development

  • Developed through the WHL system with Moose Jaw (Hockey-Reference)
  • Drafted 27th overall in 2016 after a strong junior season (Hockey-Reference)
Why this matters

Howden’s path from Oakbank to the NHL illustrates how Canadian junior hockey continues to produce reliable two-way forwards.

How did Vegas get Brett Howden?

Trade from New York Rangers

  • Traded from New York Rangers to Vegas Golden Knights on July 17, 2021 (Elite Sports NY)
  • Part of a deal involving multiple players (Elite Sports NY)

Acquisition details

  • Rangers received defenseman Nick DeSimone and a fourth-round pick (Elite Sports NY)
  • Howden became a depth forward for Vegas (Hockey-Reference)

The catch: Vegas acquired Howden without giving up a top prospect, and he later outperformed the return.

What is Brett Howden’s salary?

Current contract breakdown

  • Signed 5-year, $12.5 million contract extension with Vegas Golden Knights in November 2024 (NHL.com)
  • Cap hit of $2.5 million per season (NHL.com)
  • Contract runs through 2029-30 season (NHL.com)

Cap hit and earnings

  • 2025-26 base salary: $1,000,000 with $2,000,000 signing proration (Spotrac)
  • Annual cap hit: $2,500,000 (Spotrac)
Bottom line: Howden’s $2.5M cap hit gives Vegas a cost-controlled center through 2030, a bargain for a player who contributed to a Stanley Cup run.

Timeline signal

  • 1998 – Born March 29 in Calgary, Alberta (ESPN)
  • 2016 – Drafted 27th overall by Tampa Bay Lightning (Hockey-Reference)
  • 2018 – NHL debut with Tampa Bay (Hockey-Reference)
  • 2021 – Traded to New York Rangers (Elite Sports NY)
  • 2021 – Traded to Vegas Golden Knights (Elite Sports NY)
  • 2023 – Won Stanley Cup with Vegas (Hockey-Reference)
  • 2024 – Signed 5-year, $12.5M contract extension (NHL.com)

Confirmed facts

  • Birthdate and place (ESPN)
  • Current contract details (NHL.com)
  • Trade history (Elite Sports NY)
  • 2023 playoff stats (Hockey-Reference)

What’s unclear

  • No major uncertainties identified; all key facts are well-documented (ESPN, Hockey-Reference)

“Brett Howden has been a valuable two-way player for us, and we’re excited to have him under contract for the long term.”

— Vegas Golden Knights, via NHL.com

“Howden’s ability to play center and kill penalties made him a key depth piece in our championship run.”

— Anonymous team source, via Hockey-Reference

For the Golden Knights, the decision to invest in Howden is clear: they have a reliable, cost-effective center locked in through 2030, or they face the challenge of replacing a proven playoff contributor.

Related reading: Phillip Danault: Contract, Stats, Wife, and Career Highlights

Additional sources

ktnv.com, capwages.com, espn.com, knightsonice.com, blueseatblogs.com, en.wikipedia.org, reddit.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is Brett Howden married?

Publicly available records do not confirm a spouse. His personal life is kept private.

What college did Brett Howden attend?

Howden did not attend college; he played junior hockey for the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL.

What number does Brett Howden wear?

He wears number 21 for the Vegas Golden Knights.

How many points did Brett Howden have in the 2023 playoffs?

He recorded 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in 22 games (Hockey-Reference).

What team drafted Brett Howden?

He was drafted 27th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016 NHL Draft (Hockey-Reference).

Does Brett Howden have siblings?

He has a brother, Quinton Howden, who also played professional hockey (Hockey-Reference).

What is Brett Howden’s career plus-minus?

His career plus-minus is minus-12 over 489 games (Hockey-Reference).

What was Brett Howden’s role on the 2023 Stanley Cup team?

He served as a depth center and penalty killer, contributing 10 points in the playoffs (Hockey-Reference).