Garry Howatt

Garry Robert Charles Howatt (born September 26, 1952) is a Canadian former ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League with the New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers, and New Jersey Devils between 1972 and 1984. With the Islanders Howatt won the Stanley Cup in 1980 and 1981. Howatt was known for his toughness and, due to his small size, had the nickname "Toy Tiger."

When he left the Islanders in 1981, Howatt held the Islanders' career penalty-minutes record (1,466) and career playoffs penalty-minutes record (279). After squabbling with Devils' management, he played only sporadically before ending his career with the Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he helped them win a Calder Cup as their captain.

On January 15, 1983, Howatt, as a member of the Devils, and Mickey Volcan, as a member of the Whalers, became the only active players to officiate an NHL game, when a snowstorm prevented referee Ron Fournier and linesman Ron Asselstine from reaching the Hartford Civic Center for a game between the two teams. The two players stepped down after the first period once the officials arrived. He retired after the 1983–84 NHL season.

Personal life Howatt has epilepsy and was recognized by the epilepsy community for his grittiness by being awarded the National Epileptic Foundation Man of the Year for 1974. He later resided in New Jersey, where he owned and operated his own business, Mt. Freedom Golf, which he sold in 2010. Howatt now lives in Arizona with his wife and is still active playing hockey with NHL alumni. He is also active in rodeos throughout Arizona, participating in team roping competitions.

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1971–72 Victoria Cougars WCHL 24 5 15 20 36 — — — — — 1971–72 Flin Flon Bombers WCHL 36 24 35 59 109 7 4 1 5 30 1972–73 New York Islanders NHL 8 0 1 1 18 — — — — — 1972–73 New Haven Nighthawks AHL 65 22 27 49 157 — — — — — 1973–74 New York Islanders NHL 78 6 11 17 204 — — — — — 1974–75 New York Islanders NHL 77 18 30 48 121 17 3 3 6 59 1975–76 New York Islanders NHL 80 21 13 34 197 13 5 5 10 23 1976–77 New York Islanders NHL 70 13 15 28 182 12 1 1 2 28 1977–78 New York Islanders NHL 61 7 12 19 146 7 0 1 1 62 1978–79 New York Islanders NHL 75 16 12 28 205 9 0 1 1 18 1979–80 New York Islanders NHL 77 8 11 19 219 21 3 1 4 84 1980–81 New York Islanders NHL 70 4 15 19 174 8 0 2 2 15 1981–82 Hartford Whalers NHL 80 18 32 50 242 — — — — — 1982–83 New Jersey Devils NHL 38 1 4 5 114 — — — — — 1982–83 Wichita Wind CHL 11 0 5 5 4 — — — — — 1983–84 New Jersey Devils NHL 6 0 0 0 14 — — — — — 1983–84 Maine Mariners AHL 63 12 20 32 124 17 4 7 11 46 NHL totals 720 112 156 268 1836 87 12 14 26 289