Jimmy Howard: NHL All Star

By Matt McLear January 31, 2012 3:46 pm ET


Jimmy Howard the starting goalie for the Detroit Red Wings made his first all star appearance over the weekend and showed the world how good he really is. Jimmy Howard is from my hometown.

For those who don't know Jimmy here is a little bit about him. Jimmy Howard is 27 years old from a little place called Ogdensburg, NY. Ogdensburg, NY is where my family and a lot of my friends grew up. It's where I currently live 7 miles away from. I personally don't know Jimmy but several people I know including my family and friends do. If you go to any bar in Ogdensburg you will be able to know someone who has a Jimmy Howard story. You might be reading this and be like so what I know a lot of famous people who came from my home town. Well Ogdensburg, NY and it's surrounding area's don't have many people that do big things. We have Jimmy Howard, Rick Carlisle, and actor Mark Valley. To have three people that are nationally and maybe even gloablly known is impressive with a population of roughly 11,000 people.

Jimmy started his junior career playing in the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League for the Westport Rideaus. He then joined the US National Team development program. He played on the US National under 17 and under 18 team. He then helped lead the US U18 team to an IIHF World U18 Gold Medla Championship in Slovakia in 2002. He was named USA goaltender of the year.

Jimmy then attended the University of Maine bringing his team to the Frozen Four championship game in which they lost to University of Denver 1-0. He was drafted in the 2003 entry draft in the second round by the Detroit Red Wings. Before becoming the starter he played for the Grand Rapids Griffings in the AHL where he set several personal and franchise records including the first Griffin named to the AHL's All Rookie team and helped set the franchise win streak record of 12.

He was part of the 2007-2008 Detroit Red Wings team that won the Stanley Cup. Although he did not qualify to have his name on the cup he still was able to have his day with the cup. Of all the places to bring the cup when he had it for the day he chose his hometown of Ogdensburg. To have the Stanley Cup in town meant so much to everyone in this "city". It was something that many people will never get to experience again in their life. He brought it to almost every place possible in this small city. It shows you what kind of character he has and also how much his hometown really means to him.

In 2009-2010 Howard officially became a member of the Detroit Red Wing's when he was chosen over Ty Conklin to be Chris Osgoods back up. He recorded his first win of that season October 27th vs Vancouver when he came in relief of Osgood. One of Jimmy's first claim to fame nationally was when in a 2010 game vs the Pittsburgh Penguins Jimmy grabbed Sidney Crosby from behind and put his glove in Crosby's face after Crosby gave Henrik Zetterberg a couple of cross checks.

As you know now he is the starter for this season and was awarded the chance to make his first all star appearance. He was part of the Skill Challenge and was the goalie for the first period. During the time Jimmy was in the all star game he made the save on the second ever penalty shot in an all star game. Howard stopped 11 of 14 shots and after 20 minutes of play the score was 3-3.

Here is what Jimmy had to say of his first all star experience. “It was a lot of fun,” Howard said Monday, a big grin on his face as the Red Wings were preparing to board their plane for Tuesday's game in Calgary. “I got to spend a lot of time with my family, so it was good. The whole process was pretty cool to be around.”

His favorite part of the skills competition might have been watching the hardest shot event, where Chara broke his own All-Star Game record with a blast of 108.8 mph.
Howard enjoyed that “just because it shows how crazy I am,” he said, laughing again. “Some of these guys, it looks like they're barely even firing and it's over 100 (mph). I'm shaking my head saying, 'Why do I even stand in front of these guys?'”

This just shows you how Ogdensburg Jimmy Howard hasn't forgot where he came from. He is always talking about his family and where he comes from. It's good to know that the man know to the world has Jimmy Howard Detroit Red Wing's goalie is still just Jimmy Howard when he comes home. It also show's that if you work hard enough just because you are from a small town doesn't mean you can do big things. If you have the work ethic and desire to get out of here and accomplish your goals in life you can.

So Jimmy from one local man to another, (even though you play for a team I despise, sorry a Penguins fan) congrats on everything you have accomplished and good luck to you in the future. You already know this i'm sure but many people around Ogdensburg are proud to say "Jimmy Howard is from my hometown".