Oilers prospect Isaac Howard speaks on demotion to AHL

Unless your name is McDavid, or Draisaitl, for most players it's not a straight path to the big leagues. Often, they must take a step back to learn the NHL game - and the good ones are better off for it.

Such has been the case with forward Ike Howard, who was assigned to Bakersfield after 17 games with the Oilers, where he'd only scored 2G and 1A with and average of 9:30 of ice-time per game.

When you're a player of Howard's skill-level, where, how much, and with whom you play makes a difference; the former Hobey Baker Award winner needs to play with skill and have the opportunity to play his game.

Howard has been a dominant offensive force since joining the Condors, quickly becoming one of the team's best players. In his first few games, he demonstrated his scoring ability and playmaking skills, registering multiple points and driving the team's top line.

In his four games, he's accumulated 2G and 5A, and has played in every game state, showing-off his versatility and earning lots of ice-time. This is in contrast to his time with the Oilers, where he was often on the third, or fourth line with limited minutes.

The assignment to Bakersfield is intended to allow Howard to gain confidence, round out his two-way game, and transition to professional hockey on a full-time basis, all while playing in an environment with less pressure than the NHL.

The expectation is that his strong performance in Bakersfield could lead to a permanent full-time role with the Edmonton Oilers in the future. With the team continuing to struggle, it may not be too much longer before we see Ike in an Oilers' uniform.