Houle Accepts Head Coaching Position in QMJHL

George Roll (l) and Jean-Francois Houle. Photo by DSPics.com

The Clarkson University Hockey program is losing a valued member of its coaching staff with the announcement that Jean-Francois Houle has been named the head coach of the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Houle, a former standout forward for the Golden Knights, has been a member of the Clarkson coaching staff since head coach George Roll took over the program in 2003-04.

“We are sorry to see JF leave, but this is a great opportunity for him to become a head coach,’ remarked Roll. “It has been a very enjoyable seven years with JF on our coaching staff. Not only is he a good hockey man, but he is also a great person who is well respected at Clarkson as well as in the hockey community. We wish JF and his family the best. We are certainly going to miss him.”

Houle has been very instrumental in helping to bring to Potsdam some of the most promising college players. Clarkson's past seven recruiting classes have generated 15 NHL Draft picks, including five on this year's team.

Houle’s efforts have helped Clarkson win an ECAC Hockey Regular Season title (2008), the league’s conference's Championship Tournament title (2007) and two showings in the NCAA Tournament (2007, 2008).

One of Clarkson’s top defensive-forwards ever, Houle was a fan favorite who did whatever it took to win during his playing career with the Knights from 1993-97. Houle helped to lead the Green and Gold to two ECAC Regular Season titles (1995, 1997), four berths in the league championship tournament in Lake Placid and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (1995, 1996, 1997) en route to a 95-39-12 career record.

Houle, who played in a 143 career games, made a significant contribution offensively, recording 129 career points on 49 goals and 80 assists. He served as a co-captain in his senior campaign as Clarkson posted the third most wins in school history with a 27-10 overall record and won its seventh ECAC Regular Season crown with a 17-5 conference mark.

After graduating from Clarkson, the Lasalle, Quebec native played several years of professional hockey with the New Orleans Brass in the East Coast League, where he set franchise records for most points in game (7) and assists in a game (5). He is the son of former Montreal Canadiens standout Rejean Houle.

Houle and his wife, Mia, have a young daughter, Emma, and son, Noah Luc.

Clarkson is back in action on January 2-3 when the Golden Knights participate in the Dodge Holiday Classic at the University of Minnesota