Brett Howden went from a first-round draft pick to a Stanley Cup champion earning multi-million-dollar contracts with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Canadian center has quietly built a solid financial foundation through consistent NHL performance, securing a five-year extension worth $12.5 million.
This article breaks down Brett Howden’s net worth, NHL contracts, salary details, career earnings, championships, and personal life.
Brett Howden’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brett Howden |
| Date of Birth | March 29, 1998 |
| Age | 28 years old |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Height / Weight | 6’2″ / 201 lbs |
| Position | Center / Left Wing |
| Current NHL Team | Vegas Golden Knights |
| NHL Draft Year / Pick | 2016 / Round 1, 27th overall (Tampa Bay Lightning) |
| Years Active | 2018 – Present |
| Net Worth | $12 million (estimated) |
| Career Earnings | $10.89 million+ |
| Relationship Status | Married to Meike Howden |
| Children | 1 son (Charlie, born April 2023) |
Early Life & Hockey Journey
Brett Howden was born on March 29, 1998, in Oakbank, Manitoba, a small community where hockey runs deep in the family.
His parents, Sheldon and Krystal Howden, raised him with strong values, and his older brother Quinton Howden, who played in the NHL with the Florida Panthers, served as a major inspiration throughout his youth.
Growing up in the Springfield Minor Hockey Association, Brett developed his skills under coaches who taught him the complete game, focusing on details that would later define his professional career.
Howden’s junior career began when the Moose Jaw Warriors selected him fifth overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. He quickly established himself as a dynamic two-way forward, combining speed, size, and hockey IQ.
In the 2015-16 season, he posted 41 points in 44 games before his draft year.
His international resume includes winning gold as captain of Team Canada at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and earning bronze at the 2015 World Under-18 Hockey Championship.
The Tampa Bay Lightning recognized his potential and selected him 27th overall in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Though drafted by Tampa Bay, Howden never played a regular-season game for the Lightning. He was traded to the New York Rangers in 2018 as part of a package deal, marking the beginning of his NHL career.
NHL Career
Howden made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers during the 2018-19 season, appearing in 66 games and recording 23 points. H
e spent three seasons in New York, totaling 178 games and 49 points, though the Rangers were rebuilding and struggling during most of his tenure.
His time with the Rangers taught him defensive responsibility and versatility, playing both center and wing positions.
In January 2021, Howden was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, a move that revitalized his career.
With Vegas, he found a defined role as a reliable bottom-six forward who excels on the penalty kill and contributes timely offense.
During the 2022-23 season, Howden played on a line with team captain Mark Stone and Chandler Stephenson during the Golden Knights’ historic run.
Vegas defeated the Florida Panthers in five games on June 13, 2023, securing the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship.
Howden’s breakout season came in 2024-25 when he posted career highs with 23 goals and 40 points in 80 games, earning a plus-17 rating and showcasing his improved offensive instincts.
His consistent performance led to a five-year contract extension worth $12.5 million in November 2024, locking him in through the 2029-30 season.
Through 431 career NHL games, he has accumulated 141 points (62 goals, 79 assists) and continues to be a key contributor for Vegas.
Wife
Brett Howden is married to Meike Howden, a professional photographer originally from Winnipeg who now lives in Las Vegas.
Meike runs her own photography business under the handle @meikeannaphotography, specializing in capturing genuine moments at weddings, family gatherings, and special events.
She maintains a private Instagram account (@meikehowden) and prefers to stay out of the public spotlight while supporting her husband’s hockey career.
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Charlie, on April 13, 2023, just weeks before Howden’s Stanley Cup championship run.
Friends describe their relationship as built on trust, understanding, and shared adventures.
Both enjoy traveling during the off-season, exploring hiking trails and experiencing new culinary destinations whenever their schedules allow.
Howden’s family remains rooted in Manitoba, where his parents Sheldon and Krystal still live.
His connection to Oakbank remains strong—he brought the Stanley Cup home to his community in July 2023, sharing the celebration with hundreds of local fans who watched him grow from a youth hockey player to an NHL champion.
Brett Howden’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Brett Howden’s has an estimated net worth of $12 million.
He built his fortune through NHL contracts, performance bonuses, and career earnings accumulated over seven professional seasons. His financial growth accelerated after joining the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021, where he secured bigger contracts and won a Stanley Cup championship that increased his marketability.
NHL Contract
Howden is currently playing under a two-year, $3.8 million contract he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in July 2023.
This deal includes a $1.375 million signing bonus and carries an average annual value of $1.9 million through the 2024-25 season.
The contract is fully guaranteed, meaning Howden receives the entire amount regardless of performance or injury.
In November 2024, the Golden Knights signed Howden to a five-year contract extension worth $12.5 million, which takes effect starting in the 2025-26 season.
The extension includes a $2 million signing bonus and an average annual value of $2.5 million, running through the 2029-30 campaign when he will become an unrestricted free agent at age 32.
This long-term commitment reflects Vegas’ confidence in his two-way play, penalty-killing ability, and depth scoring contributions.
Salary
During the 2024-25 season, Howden earns a base salary of $1.65 million with a cap hit of $1.9 million.
His total yearly cash earnings for this season amount to $1.9 million with no additional performance bonuses. Based on his annual salary, Howden earns approximately $3.62 per minute of the year.
Starting in 2025-26, his annual salary increases to $2.5 million under the new extension contract.
This represents a significant raise from his previous deals and positions him as a valued middle-tier player in the Golden Knights’ salary structure.
His salary progression demonstrates steady career growth, moving from entry-level contracts to multi-year guaranteed deals as he established himself as a reliable NHL forward.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Team | Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | New York Rangers | $925,000 | Entry-level contract |
| 2019-20 | New York Rangers | $925,000 | Entry-level contract |
| 2020-21 | New York Rangers | $863,333 | Final year entry-level |
| 2021-22 | Vegas Golden Knights | $885,000 | One-year extension |
| 2022-23 | Vegas Golden Knights | $1,500,000 | One-year contract |
| 2023-24 | Vegas Golden Knights | $1,900,000 | Two-year deal (Year 1) |
| 2024-25 | Vegas Golden Knights | $1,900,000 | Two-year deal (Year 2) |
| 2025-26 | Vegas Golden Knights | $2,500,000 | Five-year extension (Year 1) |
| Total Career Earnings | $10.89 million+ | Per HockeyZonePlus |
- Brett Howden’s total career earnings stand at $10.89 million, which adjusts to $11.89 million in inflation-adjusted dollars. This figure ranks him 1,299th in all-time NHL career earnings. His upcoming extension will push his lifetime NHL earnings well beyond $20 million by the time the contract expires in 2030.
Career Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
|---|
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | New York Rangers | 66 | 6 | 17 | 23 | -16 | 14 |
| 2019-20 | New York Rangers | 70 | 9 | 10 | 19 | -11 | 28 |
| 2020-21 | New York Rangers | 42 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -2 | 11 |
| 2021-22 | Vegas Golden Knights | 47 | 9 | 11 | 20 | +9 | 12 |
| 2022-23 | Vegas Golden Knights | 54 | 6 | 7 | 13 | +5 | 55 |
| 2023-24 | Vegas Golden Knights | 72 | 8 | 11 | 19 | -11 | 39 |
| 2024-25 | Vegas Golden Knights | 80 | 23 | 17 | 40 | +17 | 46 |
| Career | 431 | 62 | 79 | 141 | -9 | 205 |
FAQs
What is Brett Howden’s highest NHL salary?
His highest annual salary is $2.5 million, which begins in the 2025-26 season under his five-year extension with Vegas.
Did Brett Howden win a Stanley Cup?
Yes, he won his first Stanley Cup championship with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 when they defeated Florida.
Who drafted Brett Howden in the NHL?
The Tampa Bay Lightning selected him 27th overall in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft.
Is Brett Howden married?
Yes, he is married to Meike Howden, a professional photographer, and they have one son named Charlie born in April 2023.
What is Brett Howden’s current contract with Vegas?
He signed a five-year, $12.5 million extension in November 2024 with an average annual value of $2.5 million through 2029-30.
