Ike Howard Cites Former Flyers Defenseman as Inspiration for Oilers Number

Shayne Gostisbehere last played for the Flyers in the 2020-21 season. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)

Winger Ike Howard may have been traded to the Edmonton Oilers instead of the Philadelphia Flyers, but his number choice was inspired by a former Flyer everyone knows well.

Howard, 21, has chosen to sport the No. 53 for the Oilers, last worn by forward Jeff Skinner this past season.

The real reason for the unusual number, though, was not one many expected.

"I will wear 53. I really liked [Shayne Gostisbehere] when he played in Philly and he wore it. My favorite number is 22, but it wasn't available, so I'm going with 53," Howard was quoted as saying by Jason Gregor of Sportsnet.

A top forward prospect in the NHL inspired by a former Flyers defenseman who is not and was not necessarily a star player. How about that?

Howard's coveted No. 22 is currently held by Oilers prospect Matt Savoie, so it wouldn't seem negotiations didn't go well or never started for a guy in Howard who hasn't cut his teeth in the NHL yet.

Before the Tampa Bay Lightning dealt him to Edmonton for Sam O'Reilly on Tuesday night, the former Michigan State University talisman was a popular potential Flyers trade target amongst fans.

Howard was drafted 31st overall in 2022 and has that first-round pedigree, and it would've helped the Flyers' case that Howard's college roommate, Karsen Dorwart, had joined the organization only a few months prior.

Howard's on the smaller side, at least relative to recent Flyers draft selections, at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, so perhaps the Flyers weren't even interested in adding another winger, and especially not a smaller one.

As for Gostisbehere, he's been around the block since getting traded by the Flyers in 2021. The 32-year-old has since played for the Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, and Hurricanes again.

Playing alongside fellow former Flyers defenseman Sean Walker in Carolina, Gostisbehere is still producing at a high level, scoring seven goals, 38 assists, and 45 points in 70 games last season while adding three goals, six assists, and nine points in 15 postseason contests.

But who could forget that 65-point season with the Flyers back in 2017-18?