Pats’ Tanner Howe named WHL player of the week

It was a surprise birthday present for Regina Pats forward Tanner Howe.

On Monday — his 17th birthday — Howe was named the WHL’s player of the week.

He recorded seven points (five goals, two assists) in two games as Regina recorded back-to-back wins while on a B.C. road trip — 3-0 over the Vancouver Giants on Friday and then a 9-5 decision over the Victoria Royals on Saturday.

The Prince Albert product’s six points in the game in Victoria was the most by a 16-year-old WHL player since Cole Sillinger did it in 2019 for the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Howe has 104 points (43 goals, 61 assists) in 95 regular-season games since joining the Pats.