The 22-year-old, who can play center or on the left wing, iced with Guildford Flames last season and put up 8 points (3G, 5A) in 66 games.
Howlett is the second member of the Surrey side’s squad to join the Stars this summer, after Chris Gerrie signed with the club last week.
Born in Woking, England, Mac made his professional debut with Glasgow Clan in the 2018-2019 campaign as he dressed in 69 matches and recorded five points (1G, 4A).
The 5-foot-10-inch attacker has spent the past four years playing around the Elite league with three different clubs and had represented Great Britain at the Under 18 and 20 level, featuring in 20 games and scoring 13 points (3G, 10A).
After spending two seasons in Glasgow and helping the Clan to a Gardiner Conference title in his first year, Howlett would then move on to start the COVID-stricken season with ES Weißwasser Under 23’s in the German fourth tier and through seven games, he had 19 points (4G, 15A).
He then returned to England and was drafted by Coventry Blaze in the Elite Series, which replaced the cancelled 2020-2021 Elite League season and he netted one goal in 14 games, before joining Guildford last season.
Prior to his EIHL debut, the Brit had been working his way through the English youth leagues before making a switch to the Finnish junior leagues at age 16.
Weighing in at 187lbs, Howlett has already won some silverware during his 11-year career, as back in 2014-2015, he was an English U18 Champion with Okanagan Hockey Academy U18’s.
As well as the previously mentioned Gardiner Conference title with Glasgow, he also won two Bronze Medals (2017-18 & 2018-19) with Team GB at Under 20 Level (Division 2A) and was named an U13 All-Star in the English Ice Hockey Association tournament of 2011-2012.
After securing the services of Howlett, Stars GM and Head Coach, Jeff Mason admitted he finally got a player he has always wanted.
Jeff said: “Mac is a player that I have had interest in for a few years now.
“Under Pete Russell at Glasgow, he showed a lot of promise and I know Pete speaks very highly of him.
“Then over the last couple of years, we had our eye on him when I was in Belfast and we talked a few different times about potentially bringing him over.
“So, when I got the job here in Dundee, he was a player that was high on my list, especially as a young Brit and now I am extremely happy to get the deal worked out.
“I am really looking forward to him coming to Dundee and hopefully he will have a lot of success with us.”
As Mac has already played in four different countries, his wealth of experience at the age of only 22 was another standout factor for Mason.
He added: “Certainly for a player of his age, he has a lot of experience and plenty of experience in this league already.
“He is also someone who is very hungry and the words ‘opportunity and fit’ were really high on his list this summer and he felt that our situation in Dundee would be the best for him and his career.
“I see him being able to develop over the next season and take the next step forward in his career.”
The young forward has already proven he can contribute offensively in this league, with a total of 18 points in 205 games across the Elite League and Elite Series, and the Stars boss was delighted to beat other teams to the talented Brit’s signature.
Mason commented: “I think his mobility and how he can play the game was important to me, he has the ability to play wing and center, which is a huge benefit to the club.
“He is a versatile player and I believe if he is given more opportunities, he has the ability to produce more offensively.
“So, there was a lot of positives I saw in him and those were the reasons why I chose to bring him to Dundee.
“He is excited to join us and I am delighted that he did because he had other opportunities.”
Once his move to Dundee was confirmed, an ecstatic Mac said: “I am very excited to be joining the Stars!
“I cannot wait to be meeting my new teammates, coaches and supporters at the start of the new season.”
The Englishman then discussed how his well-travelled career and time at different Elite League clubs has impacted his development and what he hopes to bring to the Stars.
Howlett added: “I feel more confident every year, developing my game every season and summer to improve my on ice performance.
“I have learnt a lot from everywhere I have been, listening to different coaches and adapting to different playing styles has only opened my mind up further to the game.”
He continued: “I want to bring speed and skill to the team, which suits how Dundee as a team has played in recent years and to build on the recent success the club has had.
“So, I cannot wait to get started and throw on the Stars jersey!”
In his career so far, Howlett has featured in 425 matches, scored 89 goals, assisted 164 times, and has collected 143 penalty minutes.
Mac’s career started back in 2011, with Guildford Firestars in the English U16’s league and he soon moved into the Okanagan Hockey Academy a year later.
Four seasons later, he would find himself splitting his time between the academy U18’s side and Basingstoke Bison’s U18’s and U20’s teams, before earning his first GB call-up that summer.
Howlett was selected for the GB U18’s and put up a goal and an assist at his first IIHF tournament and the following season, found himself playing in the Finnish U18 Mestis League.
Two seasons with SaiPa’s U18’s and U20’s, followed by a loan spell to Kettera U20’s saw the Brit continue to progress and get his first cap at U20’s level for GB.
The 2018-2019 season then brought Howlett back onto home soil as he began his EIHL career in Glasgow.
Mac is our 6th signing of the summer and joins Drydn Dow, Craig Garrigan, Philippe Sanche, Chris Gerrie and Brython Preece on the roster for next season.
You can get your season tickets to watch these six players and the rest of the team in the 2022-2023 campaign by contacting: [email protected]
Mac will wear the #95 Stars jersey next season.
To view Mac’s career stats on Elite Prospects click HERE.
Feature and header images by: John Uwins.
