Harry Howell

The franchise-record defenceman who won the Norris Trophy in the pre-expansion era.

Henry Vernon Howell, nicknamed 'Harry the Horse,' was a Canadian professional defenceman who anchored the New York Rangers blue line for a franchise-record 1,160 games. A defensive stalwart of the Original Six era, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1967, becoming the last pre-expansion player to secure the award before Bobby Orr's dominance. Howell played 21 seasons in the NHL and three in the WHA, accumulating over 1,500 combined games. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979, he is remembered for his positioning, hockey sense, and resilience, having scored his first career goal on a accidental backhanded shot during his debut game.

Quick Facts

Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Born: 28 December 1932
Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Died: 9 March 2019
Hall of Fame: 1979

Lore & Background

Howell joined the Rangers as one of fourteen rookies for the 1952–53 season, scoring his first goal on October 18, 1952, against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Harry Lumley. He lofted a backhanded shot during a shift change that slipped over Lumley's shoulder while screened. A stay-at-home defenceman, he played at least 50 games in each of his first eighteen seasons. On January 21, 1967, he became the first Ranger to reach 1,000 games, celebrated with a 'Harry Howell Night' at Madison Square Garden on January 25. That same year, he won the Norris Trophy, famously noting he was glad to win before Bobby Orr, who would go on to dominate the award for eight seasons. Despite his individual success, playoff runs were limited; the Rangers lost in the first round every time until 1967, and Howell scored only three goals in 38 postseason games.

Reader's Guide

Howell's post-playing career included serving as general manager of the Cleveland Barons during the 1977–78 NHL season before that franchise merged with the Minnesota North Stars. He became head coach for the North Stars in July 1978 but resigned after only eleven games, stating he was unhappy as a coach. He later scouted for the North Stars and Edmonton Oilers, earning a Stanley Cup ring when the Oilers won in 1990. In 2000, he rejoined the Rangers as a scout until his retirement in 2004. On February 22, 2009, the Rangers retired Howell's number three alongside Andy Bathgate, ending a long separation from the team's honored jerseys. He was also honored by Canada Post on an 'Original Six' stamp in October 2014 and named to the North Wentworth Community Centre in Flamborough, Ontario, as the Harry Howell Arena.

Did You Know?

Howell served as a player-coach for three different WHA franchises: New York Golden Blades/Jersey Knights, San Diego Mariners, and briefly before moving to Calgary.
He held the record for most games played by a defenceman in NHL history until surpassed later, finishing with 1,411 NHL games.
Howell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in his later years and lived in a long-term care facility near Hamilton at the time of his death.

The Defensive Anchor and Norris Trophy Winner

Henry Vernon Howell, known affectionately as 'Harry the Horse,' established himself as one of the most reliable stay-at-home defencemen in National Hockey League history. Standing six-foot-one and weighing 195 pounds, he relied on exceptional hockey sense and positioning rather than flashy offense to dominate the blue line for nearly two decades. His tenure with the New York Rangers was particularly distinguished, where he played a franchise-record 1,160 games over seventeen seasons while wearing number three.

This consistency culminated in the 1966–67 season, when he recorded career highs of twelve goals and forty points, largely aided by powerplay partner Bernie Geoffrion. That same year, Howell became the last player from the pre-expansion era to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy. In a moment of foresight, he famously remarked that he was glad to win before Boston's Bobby Orr took over the award for eight consecutive seasons. His defensive prowess was so highly regarded by teammate Ed Giacomin that the goaltender claimed Howell stopped more shots than he did.

Despite his individual accolades, including seven All-Star selections and a First-Team honor in 1967, playoff success remained elusive during his Rangers years, as the team consistently fell in the first round of the postseason.

Harry the Horse: The Norris Winner

Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 195 pounds, Howell wore number three for seventeen years with the Rangers. He was named captain in 1955 but stepped down after two seasons, feeling he played poorly. His 1966–67 campaign saw career highs of 12 goals and 40 points, credited to Bernie Geoffrion telling him to shoot on the power play. Teammate Ed Giacomin once remarked that Howell stopped more shots than he did. Although he missed out on playoff glory with New York, he recorded a goal in five games during the Mariners' sole WHA playoff series win in 1975.