PWHL Toronto goaltender Erica Howe announces retirement
PWHL Toronto goaltender Erica Howe announced her retirement Thursday via Instagram.
“Dear hockey, thank you for the past 27 years. I have you to thank for the friends I’ve made, the places I’ve been and the person I’ve become. You taught me to be brave, embrace challenges and to love with my whole heart,” Howe wrote on her Instagram post. “I will never forget the early mornings, late nights, killer workouts, big losses, bigger wins, bus rides, tears, laughter, euchre, spikeball and most importantly, the teammates who were by my side during it all.
“You gave me more than I could ever ask for, and you will always be my first love. My heart is so full and I am the luckiest person alive,” she continued.”
Thank you @ehowitzer27 for everything you've done for our team and sport! 💙
We're so proud of the career you've had, and wish you nothing but the best in your next adventure! pic.twitter.com/LxAtoDi3Ei
— PWHL Toronto (@PWHL_Toronto) June 20, 2024
The 31-year-old spent the 2023-24 season with PWHL Toronto, serving as the backup netminder for Kristen Campbell. She made three appearances and two starts, going 1-1-0 with a .921 SV% and a 1.89 GAA.
Howe found success in the early part of her professional career, spending five seasons with the Brampton/Markham Thunder of the CWHL. Her best season was in 2017-18, going 8-5-2 with a .930 SV% and a 2.18 GAA, then going undefeated in the playoffs, leading her club to the 2018 Clarkson Cup.
She would be named Clarkson Cup MVP that spring.
In college, Howe spent four seasons with the Clarkson Golden Knights, joining the program in 2010-11. During her four years with Clarkson, Howe compiled a record of 90-32-15, never posting a save percentage less than .927.
Her best collegiate season was in 2013-14, where the Ottawa, Ont., native went 31-5-5 with a .941 SV% and 1.10 GAA, leading Clarkson to a National Championship.