BOISE, ID – The Idaho Steelheads (@Steelheads), proud ECHL (@ECHL) affiliate of the Dallas Stars (@DallasStars), and Steelheads Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations Everett Sheen announced today that the club has signed forward Kale Howarth to an ECHL contract for the 2026-27 season.
Howarth, 29, joins the Steelheads after playing parts of four seasons in both the ECHL and the AHL.
The Red Deer, AB native began his professional career with the Indy Fuel during the 2021-22 season, registering four points (2G, 2A) in five games before joining the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. In 12 games with Rockford that season, he collected three points (2G, 1A).
Howarth spent the next two seasons playing at both levels with Rockford and Indy. He’s amassed 50 games played in the AHL, grabbing six points (2G, 4A) in that time. In the ECHL, which includes another year with Indy during the 2024-25 season, he’s collected 25 points (14G, 11A) in 55 games, also picking up a goal in five playoff games with the Fuel.
Prior to his professional career, the 6-foot-5 forward skated in 79 games over three seasons at the University of Connecticut from 2018-21. The 6-foot-5 forward racked up 34 points (16G, 18A) in his time with the Huskies, earning him a fifth-round selection (148th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
At the junior level, Howarth appeared in 148 games over three seasons with the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters, notching 146 (66G, 80A) points.
The Idaho Steelheads kick off their 29th season on October 16th at New Mexico and will host the Allen Americans on October 23rd for their home opener. Call the Steelheads Front Office at 208-383-0080 for Steelheads ticket packages for the upcoming season. Stay up to date with all things Steelheads on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram throughout the summer.
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