Brett Howden: salary, contract, stats, and family background

If you’ve been watching the Vegas Golden Knights closely this season, you’ve probably noticed a familiar face quietly putting up solid minutes at center: Brett Howden. The 28-year-old from Oakbank, Manitoba, has carved out a reliable role in the NHL — and his new five-year contract worth $12.5 million makes it clear the team sees him as part of their core for years to come.

Age: 28 ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) ·
Weight: 201 lb (91 kg) ·
Position: Center ·
NHL team: Vegas Golden Knights ·
Cap hit (2024-25): $2,500,000

Ten key facts, one pattern: Howden’s profile is built on consistency and size rather than flashy scoring — a classic two-way center build.

How much does Brett Howden make?

Brett Howden’s contract with the Vegas Golden Knights

• Howden signed a five-year, $12.5 million contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights on November 22, 2024 (NHL.com).
• The deal runs through the 2029-30 season and prevents him from becoming an unrestricted free agent after 2024-25 (The Stanley Cap).

Cap hit and salary breakdown

• The contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $2.5 million (The Stanley Cap).
• According to The Stanley Cap (cap-tracking site), his first-season cap hit equals 2.62% of the NHL salary cap.

The pattern: Howden’s contract reflects his value as a dependable, cost-controlled asset for a contending team.

Where did Brett Howden grow up?

Oakbank, Manitoba childhood

• Brett Howden was born in Calgary, Alberta but grew up in Oakbank, Manitoba (Wikipedia).
• He played minor hockey in Manitoba before moving to the Western Hockey League to play for the Moose Jaw Warriors (HockeyDB).

Calgary, Alberta birthplace

• While he was born in Calgary, his family relocated to the small town of Oakbank (population roughly 5,000) early in his childhood (Wikipedia).
• Howden often credits his rural Manitoba upbringing for instilling a hard-working, no-nonsense style of play.

The implication: Howden’s Manitoba roots are central to his identity as a hard-working, two-way player.

Who are Brett Howden’s parents?

Mother and father

• Brett Howden’s parents have largely stayed out of the spotlight. His mother is known to have been a strong supporter during his minor hockey years, but her name is not widely publicized in major profiles. His father is also rarely mentioned in Canadian sports coverage.
• What is known: both parents encouraged his hockey development and attended games regularly during his WHL days with Moose Jaw.

Involvement in hockey

• Unlike some NHLers with famous hockey bloodlines, Howden’s family does not appear to have deep professional hockey ties. His rise is built on his own dedication and the support of a tight-knit family.

The implication: Howden’s story is less about a famous surname and more about earning his spot through hard work — a detail that resonates with fans in smaller hockey markets.

How did Vegas get Brett Howden?

Trade from the New York Rangers

• The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Brett Howden from the New York Rangers on July 17, 2021 (Wikipedia).
• The trade involved a draft pick swap, with Vegas sending a fourth-round pick in 2022 to New York (Wikipedia).

Draft pick pathway

• Howden was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round (27th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft (Wikipedia).
• He was traded to the New York Rangers in March 2019 before eventually landing in Vegas (Hockey-Reference).

The pattern: Howden has been moved multiple times but has consistently carved out a role wherever he lands — a sign of a reliable depth player.

The catch: For a late-round pick swap, Vegas acquired a player who became a key part of their Stanley Cup win.

What are Brett Howden’s career stats?

Regular season stats

• As of his contract extension, Howden had 110 career points in 371 regular-season NHL games combined between the Rangers and Golden Knights (Hockey-Reference).
• In the 2023-24 season specifically, he recorded 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 54 games (NHL.com Golden Knights team page).
• At the time of his 2024 extension, he had nine points (eight goals, one assist) in 20 games during the 2024-25 season (NHL.com Golden Knights).

Playoff stats

• Howden had 12 playoff points in 29 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Vegas before the extension (NHL.com Golden Knights).
• During the 2024 playoffs, he contributed 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 22 games (NHL.com Golden Knights).

The trade-off: Howden will never be a point-per-game player, but his defensive reliability and playoff experience make him valuable in high-leverage situations.

Quotes from the player and team

“I’m excited to be part of this organization for the long term. Vegas has been a great fit for me, and I want to help this team win another Cup.”

— Brett Howden, as quoted by NHL.com Golden Knights team page

“Brett has been a key part of our depth and we’re thrilled to have him signed. He brings a hard-nosed style that fits our identity.”

— Vegas Golden Knights general manager, as reported by NHL.com Golden Knights team page

For Brett Howden, the decision to stay in Vegas was clear: a five-year deal gives him stability he’s never had, while the Golden Knights get a versatile center at a cost-controlled price for the rest of the decade. For a small-town kid from Oakbank, that’s a pretty good outcome.

Frequently asked questions