Springfield Captain Howard Makes NCAA Commitment
The Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Zach Howard has committed to play NCAA hockey for the University of Dubuque in the NCHA.
The 6-foot-1 righty from New Richmond, Wisconsin, Howard will join the Spartans in Dubuque, Iowa, in the fall. Howard is a fourth-year veteran of the Jr. Blues, skating in 145 career games with the Midwest Division team. This past season, the captain laced up for every regular season contest with Springfield, appearing in 59 games. Howard led Springfield on the scoresheet, tallying a team-leading 23 goals while registering a team-leading 49 points. The ‘05 skater recorded 26 assists for the Midwest Division team, ranking third overall in that category.
Howard was effective on the man advantage for Springfield, scoring a team-leading 13 power-play goals. In addition to his work on special teams, the 21-year-old notched three game-winning goals in his age-out season with Springfield. The 6-foot-1 righty was recognized for his work on the ice during the regular season, being named a Midwest Division Star of the Week on October 27, 2025.
During Howard’s 2024-25 campaign, the veteran skater from Wisconsin played 17 games, lacing up with the team in the first-half of the season. In that span, he tallied a goal and six assists for the Illinois-based. His lone goal was scored in short-handed fashion for the Jr. Blues.
In Howard’s first full season of junior hockey, the ‘05 forward was just one game shy of playing in every regular season contest. In his 59 games played, the 6-foot-1 righty scored eight goals and notched 19 assists with the Jr. Blues. In that span, he scored three goals in deciding fashion for the team.
Before his first full season, the Wisconsin native got a 10-game taste of junior hockey at the end of the 2022-23 season. He joined Springfield in early March and played through the end of the team’s campaign. Howard scored his first career junior goal and recorded three assists for the team.
Howard is one of 11 members of the Springfield Jr. Blues to make a college ice hockey commitment.
Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list
