Christian Howanitz split the 2021-22 junior hockey season with the NOJHL’s Soo Thunderbirds and USPHL’s Hudson Havoc.

For the 2022-23 season, the Boulder native went east for his final season of juniors, playing for the EHL’s Walpole Express, and he’ll stay in Massachusetts in 2023-24 with his recent commitment to NCAA Division III Worcester State University.

Worcester and Walpole are roughly 45 miles apart.

“His passion and work ethic, both on and off the ice, has a huge effect on our whole group,” said Express head coach Nic Cota. “This is one reason why he was selected as assistant captain. I’m excited to see what Christian brings to the table in the second half of the season, as he always is looking to be more effective. We have been lucky to have him and so will his next stop.”

In addition to his 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 25 games this season, Howanitz was also recognized with his election to the EHL All-Star Team that took on Nazareth College and SUNY Brockport back in October. That experience helped further expose Howanitz to NCAA coaches at the next level, and ultimately helped lead to this commitment to the Lancers.

“I’m extremely excited to play at Worcester State for the next four years,” said Howanitz. “I can’t thank Coach Cota and the Express enough for helping me achieve my dream of playing college hockey.”

With this weight now off of his shoulders, one of the leaders of the Express can now turn his focus towards helping his team extend what’s currently the longest active winning streak in the league at five games.

Howanitz and the Express will look to make it six victories in a row when they return to action on Saturday against the Vermont Lumberjacks.

Back home, Howanitz played for the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders and Colorado Springs Tigers.

Photo/Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

— Matt Mackinder

(January 5, 2023)