Admittedly, there were some nerves for Brett Howden as the Tampa Bay Lightning brain trust rose from their table on the floor of the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York this past weekend, stepped up to podium and announced that the Oakbank native and former Eastman Select would join the exclusive ranks that few will ever know and that's being drafted, in the first round, into the National Hockey League.

It's not all interviews and photographs at the NHL draft, well not during the day at least according to Howden who talked about his time leading up to his name being called. "It was crazy, I couldn't sleep (the night before the draft) I went to bed very late and was just laying there with my eyes open, couldn't go to sleep and I woke up way, way earlier then I needed to and I couldn't get back to sleep so I just got up and kinda got going. There is literally nothing to do during day, no plans or anything so it was just sitting around all day. I tried to keep busy but it just felt that the minutes and hours were going by slower then ever."

The term "roller coaster of emotions" is used a lot but few have a greater understanding of it then Howden who talked about what was going through his mind as players around him had their moment as he waited for his. "Obviously it's so cool seeing all your friends go on stage and you're sitting there wondering when your name is going to be called. It was getting down to the last few teams and I was getting very nervous, but I knew I had a good meeting with Tampa Bay so I was really hoping that they were going to take me and lucky enough, they did."

At 18 years old, it is easy for hockey players to get carried away with where the experts predict you may get selected, better known as mock drafts or draft rankings, but for Howden, who's older brother Quinton was also a 1st round pick back in 2010 by the Florida Panthers, he was prepared for whatever anyone was saying leading up to the draft. "Having my brother talk to me lots about it, those rankings mean nothing. Don't look at that, if you go higher or lower. Obviously I saw it and I just didn't put much stock into it."

Howden with the Lightning group at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft (Photo credit: Brett Howden)From the Tampa Bay Lightning side, Stacy Roest who played parts of 5 NHL seasons before carving out a good career in Switzerland and is now the Director of Player Development couldn't have been more thrilled to have Howden join what's becoming a terrific hockey program in Tampa Bay. "It was a long couple hours to wait, wait and wait and you're crossing guys off your list and we were ecstatic to get Brett at 27." Roest also talked about what jumped out at him about Howden. "He's competitive. You watch him, especially with those great playoffs he had (for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL) and you see he's a smart player. For a young player, he had a big role on that team and we hope that he continues to grow. We just like his all around game."

Even though he had an idea it could happen, it didn't temper the nerves as the Lightning made their way up to the podium where General Manager and Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman wasted no time in selecting Howden. Even talking about it a few days later, Howden's face lights up with a smile as he talks about those moments he will never forget. "It was very nerve racking for me, I didn't know what was going to happen and when he said my name it was almost shock and relief and excitement all going on at the same time. It's so hard to describe it." 

After his name was announced, Howden shared hugs with family and friends, a moment that stood out on television was the embrace Brett had with Quinton, when asked what was said between the two brothers, Howden responded with a laugh. "Honestly, I don't remember, I kinda blacked out. (laughs) I remember him looking at me and that he was proud of me." Howden also wanted to clear up that there was no wager on who would go higher between the two brothers. "(Laughs) We obviously talked about it before but you know there was not bet and he definitely has bragging rights on me, but hopefully I can get him back in some shape or form."

For fans across the Southeast, in the past a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers would not be must see tv, but in the coming years, the Howden vs Howden rivalry, may change that. The younger Howden is excited abou the prospect of lining up against his brother in a NHL game. "It would be pretty crazy, us being rivals now. It would be a moment to share and a moment our family would be very happy and proud of."

Things dont really slow down for Howden as he explains that now that is name has been called, it's time to get ready to work. "Right now, I'm at the development camp in Tampa Bay, I'll be here for one week. Then I got home and train to get ready for World Junior camp at the end of July, then get ready for Moose Jaw's camp and in September I come back for Lightning camp. It's a pretty busy summer but it's fun." 

Howden shares a laugh with Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper (Photo credit: Brett Howden) Roest also talked about the development camp and how the Lightning as an organization approaches it. "We always kick it around every year, which way is best. Do we let them go home for a week and settle down but obviously here in Tampa Bay the longer you wait the warmer it gets, but I think it's nice when you get all the draft picks around it's great. For the kids it's great too, we do a lot of teaching. You get a feel for it, you put a face to a name which is nice." Roest talked about what they plan on working with when it comes to the next level for Howden. "I think first of all we want to get to know him. I think we can get him a little stronger and a little quicker, a little quicker staking wise. We will get our skating coaches in there and give him some stuff to work on over the summer. We'll follow up with him over the summer just to help him out as well."

Howden met with 27 teams at the NHL combine and never felt more comfortable then he did with the Tampa Bay Lightning. "I don't know what it was, just as soon as I was in Tampa Bay's room, it just kind of clicked and I knew right then it just fell right. Obviously I'm happy to be drafted, but for me to come here and feel so comfortable with them, it's a lot easier on me. Every guy wants to go as high as possible but talking to some guys, it matters which team you go to and Tampa Bay for me is the perfect fit."

For Brett Howden, the first step on the road to being a National Hockey League player has happened. A busy summer awaits and he's looking forward to every challenge that comes his way. "I don't know when I'm going to play in the NHL. It's my time to develop and get my whole game shaped up."