Jean-Francois Houle, the head coach of the Laval Rockets, was chosen the men’s hockey coach at Clarkson University early Friday afternoon. Houle had been with the Montreal Canadiens affiliate for three years. However, the final three were spent as the team’s head coach.
Jean-François Houle Hired by Alma Mater
Houle returns to Potsdam, New York, where he played collegiate hockey for the Golden Knights. He was a highly ranked recruit who arrived at the Northern New York campus in 1993. The Montreal native co-captained the team to the ECAC regular-season championship and the top seed in the NCAA Regionals. Houle played 143 games for the Golden Knights, scoring 49 goals and 129 points in total, although he was best recognized for his defensive play.
He didn’t make it to the NHL, but he did play in the AHL and ECHL. The 1997 graduate began coaching in 2003, under then-coach George Roll. He was an assistant for several seasons before taking over the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. After the Maineiacs folded, Houle joined the Armada of Blainville-Boisbriand, where he was named coach of the year in 2012.
The 49-year-old went on to work for the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens, where he helped develop talent. Houle has contributed to the development of some of Montreal’s most promising young talent.
What It Means.
He signed a contract extension a few weeks ago. However, the allure of leading his old college program was too strong. Houle succeeds Casey Jones, who will be head coach-in-waiting at ECAC opponent Cornell. Jones will succeed longstanding head coach Mike Schafer, who will retire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Clarkson may be a Division III institution in other sports, but it has a long history of hockey. Houle’s eye for talent and ability to nurture it may allow the Golden Knights to remain among the top collegiate hockey schools.
