Harry Howell was the career leader in Games Played by a D at his departure for the WHA. And he won the Norris, of course. And he made 1st All Star Team.
But that’s it. That’s his whole Hall of Fame case.
So, does Harry Howell really belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?
Listen here:
Harry Howell’s Career:
- NHL: 1952-1973, 21 seasons, all quality
- Totals:
- 94G (20th* D All Time at his departure to the WHA),
- 324A (9th* D All Time at his departure) for
- 418P (10th* D All Time at his departure),
- -152* (2nd? Worst All Time at his departure) in
- 1411 Games (3rd All Time at his departure – Howe, Delvecchio- 1st D);
- 87.6 Point Shares (13th* D All Time at his retirement);
- At his departure to the WHA, Howell was 8th All Time in Defensive Point Shares
- At his departure, Howell was the 21st D All Time in Offensive Point Shares (Kelly, Clapper and Mohs are all ahead)
- Per Game: Howell doesn’t qualify for either the GPG or PPG leader-board but if the qualifier is lowered so he does, at his departure to the WHA, among D Howell was
- 23rd All Time (last among qualifying D) in GPG
- 11th All Time (last among qualifying D) in APG
- 11th All Time (last among qualifying D) in PPG
- Era: Of the 12 to play in at least 820 games (10 modern seasons) between 1952 and 1973, Howell is
- 4th in Goals
- T-7th in GPG
- 6th in Assists
- T-8th in APG
- 6th in Points
- 7th in PPG
- 2nd last in Plus/Minus
- 7th in Offensive Point Shares
- 4th in Defensive Point Shares
- 7th in Point Shares
- 1st in Games
- 82-game average: 6G, 19A for 25P, -9
- 3-year peak (1965-68): 70-game average of 7G, 26A for 34P, -2
- Playoffs:
- 3G,
- 3A for
- 6P,
- -14 in
- 38 games
- Per Game: Obviously doesn’t qualify
- Era: Of the 81 D to play in at least 20 playoff games between 1952 and 1973, Howell is
- T-28th in Goals
- T-62nd in Assists
- T-53rd in Points
- t-73rd (2nd last?) in Plus/Minus
- 47th in Games
- Adjustment for Era:
- Hockey-Reference:
- 103G,
- 360A for
- 463P
- 82-game average: 6G, 21A for 27P (+2P per 82 games)
- VsX: Doesn’t qualify
- Hockey-Reference:
- Trades:
- Traded at 36 to the Seals for cash
- Traded at 38 to the Kings for cash
- Totals:
- WHA: 1973-76, 3 seasons, 2? quality
- Totals:
- 7G,
- 36A for
- 43P,
- +32* in
- 170 Games
- Per Game: Obviously inapplicable
- Era: can’t calculate
- 82-game average: 4G, 17A for 21, +15*
- Playoffs:
- 1G for
- 1P,
- +1 in
- 7 Games
- Per Game: obviously doesn’t qualify
- Era: can’t calculate
- Totals:
Harry Howell’s Accomplishments:
- NHL:
- Top 5 in Hart voting once
- Norris (‘67)
- Top 5 in Norris voting one further time
- All Star:
- 1st Team All Star once
- 7 All Star Game appearances
- Top Player:
- Top 10 Player (by PS) once (‘67)
- Top 5 in Defensive Point Shares (by DPS) once (‘67)
- Top 10 twice (‘58)
- No offensive accomplishments
- WHA: no accomplishments
Harry Howell’s Great Teams:
- NHL:
- Top 2 D (by points) on three Final Fours (‘57, ‘58, ‘62 Rangers)
- Top 4 D (by points) on one Final Four (‘ (‘56 Rangers)
- Unknown role (didn’t score) on one Final Four (‘67 Rangers)
- WHA:
- Top 4 D (by points) on one Final Four (‘75 Mariners)