A career that started on a quiet, lonely rink in Midland, Ontario. Howard, coached by his father, developed a solid, consistent delivery at an early age. He loved practicing, where other youngsters loathed it, and for hour after lonely hour he honed his skills by throwing rock after rock on the rink at the Midland Curling Club. A natural skip from a young age, Howard was always drawn in by the strategy of the game. He relished the responsibility of throwing the last rock. For him, it was always exciting and thrilling to control the final shot of the game, where others were fearful or nervous. And for over three decades, it has been exciting and thrilling to watch him.