TAMPA, Fla. — With its first top-round pick since 2019, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected an 18-year-old left wing from the US National Team Development program.

The Lightning selected Isaac Howard with the 31st pick of the first round.

What You Need To Know

  • Lightning select Isaac Howard in first round of NHL draft

  • Howard, 18, is a 5-foot-10, 183-lb. left winger from Wisconsin 

  • MORE on Isaac Howard

A native of Hudson, Wisconsin, Howard led the NTDP Under-18 Team last season with 82 points in 60 games. His 33 goals ranked third on the team and his 49 assists were the second-most among all skaters.

Howard, 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds, is currently committed to play college hockey at University of Minnesota-Duluth, who won the NCAA National Championship in back-to-back years in 2018 and 2019.

Howard also played in 27 USHL games with Team USA during the 2021-22 season, recording 11 goals and 37 points. He led the team for points and assists. Howard recorded six goals and 11 points in six games with Team USA during the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. He led the team for goals and points as Team USA won the Silver Medal.

On Friday, the Lightning have six more selections to make with draft picks in the fourth round (103rd overall, from Chicago), fifth round (160th overall), sixth round (169th overall, from Detroit and 192nd overall) and seventh round (223rd overall, from New York and 224th overall).

The Bolts will open their 2022 Development Camp when players hit the ice on Monday.