When I first became aware of the Rangers in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Howell was among the first players I admired, along with Bathgate, Worsley, Prentice, and Hebenton. The team was bad, but those guys were good.
But what I most remember about Harry was the year he won the Norris and we made the playoffs for the first time in years: the start of the Francis era. He led that team.
How to best describe him to younger fans? Think of Staal before his eye injury and concussions. Think of Girardi at his peak, before the league changed around him as he lost some foot speed. Play that out over multiple seasons. That was Howell: a fine D, and a veteran leader. It was an era when age didn’t disqualify players from long careers, when experience was valued. It’s a different game today, in most ways a better game. The skill and speed of today’s game is amazing, but Harry was a perfect example of an Original Six era D.