By Matthew Gourlie /

Quinton Howden knows the expectations are out there.

Since he became the Moose Jaw Warriors’ first ever first-overall pick in a bantam draft, Howden has acknowledged the expectations that come with being selected first.

While that can be overwhelming for a young hockey player, Howden is taking the right approach. He is focusing on establishing himself in the Western Hockey League and improving his game, rather than trying to live up to any outside expectations.

“I try to just go out there and work hard,” Howden said. “There are some things expected I guess, I just try to do what I can do and see how it goes.”

Howden got off to a solid start, netting five goals and 10 points in his first 15 games this season. He’s cooled off since the end October and though a scoring drought is new territory for the Oak Bank, Man. native, he isn’t panicking.

“You would like to get a bunch of those ones that don’t go in for you, but I’m getting the chances and that’s all I can ask for,” said Howden, who is busy working on all facets of his game.

“I’ve been focusing on my skating a lot and shooting the puck. I think it’s come a long way since I first came here.”

The 16-year-old still has a lot of room to add muscle to his 6-2, 175-pound frame and is trying to adapt to the rugged WHL style.

“The play is a lot more physical, but I’m enjoying it,” he said.

Warriors GM Chad Lang is happy with Howden’s progress as he grows into his role as a power forward playing against players older than he is.

“He’s always been the top of the crop that he’s played against,” Lang said. “His skill and skating level can only take him so far. He knows that if he’s going to be the player that he wants to be, he’s going to have to be stronger.

“I think the more comfortable he gets, the more dynamic he’s going to be.”

The Warriors certainly expect him to be a game-breaking player.

Heading into the 2007 bantam draft, Lang and director of scouting and player development Rob MacLachlan wanted a high-end forward. In Howden, they felt they had a prospect worth trading up to acquire with the 
first selection.

“We liked his character. He’s a great individual. He’s got good values,” Lang said. “The second thing was his work ethic on the ice.

“Rob and I saw him on back-to-back nights. One night they won 6-1 and he dominated the game. The next night they lost, but he was still the hardest-working guy on the ice. They were down 4-1 with three minutes left and he was still competing and back-checking and I said ‘that’s the type of character and the type of player we need.’ ”

As the Warriors struggle through a rebuilding season, it’s young talents like Howden that make the hope for the future bright.

“Us young guys are looking forward to the next couple of years when we’ll be leading the team,” Howden said. “It’s exciting.”