WINNIPEG – Just a few hours after announcing they signed Shawn Matthias, the Jets added two more players.
The Jets signed both Oakbank’s Quinton Howden and defenceman Brian Strait.
Howden, 24, spent his entire career with the Florida Panthers but the club did not make a qualifying offer to Howden, making him an unrestricted free agent.
“Really believe that there’s still more to give, more to grow with him.” said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. “The youth is something that will serve him well and there’s more to his ceiling yet.”
Howden agreed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650,000.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play for the hometown team, and have family and friends there all the time, so really, really excited.” said Howden.
RELATED: Oakbank’s Quinton Howden wishes to remain with Florida Panthers
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Last season Howden had six goals and five assists in 58 games but he was a healthy scratch in the playoffs. At first his family didn’t believe him when he told them he signed with the Jets.
“My mom dropped the phone when I called her.” said Howden. “I don’t think she really knew that it was true. My dad was working and I told him and he kept asking are you serious. They kind of thought I was joking.”
RELATED: Winnipeg Jets sign forward Shawn Matthias
The Jets also announced they’ve signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Brian Strait to a one-year, one-way contract worth $600,000.
Strait, 28, played the last four season with the New York Islanders. Last season he recorded one goal and five assists in 52 games. He also spent five seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.
LISTEN: Raw Quinton Howden Phone Interview
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