Michigan State University Athletics
Inside Glimpse of Tyler Howells
11/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 30, 2004
Tyler Howells is in his second season with the MSU hockey team. The Eden Prairie, Minn. native arrived at State after spending one season with the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders. As a senior in high school, his team Holy Angels High School won the state championship. This year Howells has played in 10 games for the green and white. He has a total of three points this season all coming from assists. His father, Robert Howells played hockey at Bemidji State, while his uncle, Steve Howells, played hockey at Gustavus Adolphus.
Q. What was it like to go back and play in Minnesota in front of your friends and family?
A. It was pretty good. It was the first time back in two years to play there. I had about 25 people there. A lot of relatives from out of state came back too. It was good to play in front of my uncles because they all played in Minnesota, but not Division I. So it was good for them to see someone in our family playing against the Gophers.
Q. Did it make you more nervous having everyone there?
A. I don't get nervous that easily so I wasn't really that bad. I was more pumped up for that game than any other game I have played.
Q.With both your dad and uncle having played college hockey what kind of influence have they had on you?
A. They all have a lot of hockey knowledge, so it helps out a lot when I was growing up because they were my coaches. If you are having a tough time, you can always go talk to them about hockey and how they got through it. So it helps out a lot.
Q. Why did you choose Michigan State?
A. It is probably one of the best schools in the country academic wise. My parents like that a lot, so that is one reason they wanted me to come here. Coach Comley is a great coach, just look at the record and the way he has taught kids in the past. So it is just a great fit.
Q.Tell me about the chemistry you and Drew Miller have during a penalty kill?
A. I got to penalty kill with him last year a little bit, so that kind of helps out. We are pretty close and good friends; we hang out a lot. It helps out when you are with the same guy killing penalties. I know where he is going to be and he knows where I am going to be.
Q. Favorite part of playing MSU hockey?
A. Just playing I guess, getting out onto the ice in front of the fans, almost a sold-out crowd every night. You can't ask for much more than that.
Q.If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A.I really want to go to Australia to see the kangaroos.
Q. Any reason you wear No. 16?
A. I wore 16 when I was a freshman at Holy Angels and we won the state championship my senior year, so I stuck with it.
Q. What is your biggest fear?
A. Snakes. I hate snakes; they are squiggly and slimy and it's not good.
Q. If you could play any other sport what would it be?
A. I played soccer up until my senior year of high school so probably soccer.
