Michael Houser
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Birthday:
1992-09-13 |
Position:
G |
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Eligible for draft:
2011 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
|
Height:
6-2 |
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Acquired:
Free agent signing, 2012 |
Weight:
190 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- D
History
2008-09: Michael Houser began the year with the Little Caesar's midget program before joining the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers. Splitting the goaltending duties with Aaron Crandall for the Eastern Conference's last-place Buccaneers, he was 5-18 with a 4.02 goals against and .902 save percentage.
2009-10: Houser played 25 games for the OHL's London Knights as a backup to Michael Hutchinson (BOS). He was 17-5 with 1 loss in overtime and had a 3.10 goals against and .900 save percentage. The Knights were first in the Midwest Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Houser made three relief appearances in the playoffs and in 53 minutes of action had a 7.92 goals against and .821 save percentage. He was ranked 11th amongst North American goaltenders in Central Scouting's final rankings but was not selected in the 2010 NHL Draft.
2010-11: Houser attended the Vancouver Canucks training camp before returning to London for his second OHL season. Taking over as the Knights' starter, he played 54 games and was 30-24 with five losses in overtime. He had one shutout and posted a 3.32 goals against and .904 save percentage. London finished fifth in the Midwest Division and Houser was 2-4 with a 2.71 goals against and .940 save percentage in the six-game playoff series with eventual OHL champion Owen Sound.
2011-12: Houser skated in the Flyers' camp before returning to London for a third OHL season. He was named the CHL Goalie of the Year as the Knights captured the OHL championship and reached the Memorial Cup. Hauser was 46-16 with six shutouts in 62 regular season games and had a 2.47 goals against and .925 save percentage. In 19 playoff games he was 16-3 with 1 shutout and had a 2.25 goals against and .928 save percentage. In four games at the Memorial Cup he was 2-2 and had a 2.58 goals against and .904 save percentage. Houser signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Panthers in July, 2012.
Talent Analysis
Houser’s determination, effort and work ethic have been well-established over his OHL career. The CHL Goaltender of the Year and Outstanding Player in the OHL for 2011-12 has high-end positioning, is aggressive in the net and makes big saves by using his excellent reads. Though not as tall as the current NHL goaltender model, he battles with the best of them and makes up for physical limitations with superb concentration and a calm demeanor.
Future
Houser signed a three-year contract with the Panthers this summer after having been passed over in the draft. He kicks off his professional career this fall and should be in the mix competing for the backup spot in San Antonio. He makes a solid addition to the Panthers depth chart, and although he still has a lot of work to do, he is a player who knows hard work and the dedication it takes to improve and succeed.
