POTSDAM, NY | Laval Rocket fans were surprised when Jean-François Houle left his position as head coach last June, even though he had just signed a new three-year contract.
• Also read: Jean-François Houle, “one of the most popular players in history” at Clarkson University
• Also read: At Clarkson University, hockey in the middle of the woods
But in life, sometimes you get an offer you can’t refuse. This is what happened to Houle. He had just been asked to take the reins of the men’s program at Clarkson University, his alma mater.
“I got the call from Laurel Kane [la directrice des sports de l’Université] and it took me by surprise because these are not opportunities that open up often, it’s a position that you hold for ten or fifteen years and it’s very interesting.”
When we meet Houle, on the first of November, he is beaming a few hours before a match against the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.
Eleven years of his life
Clarkson University is where he played his college hockey. It’s also where he began his coaching career. He spent seven seasons there as an assistant before making the jump to the QMJHL, and eleven years of his life until now.
“When I decided to come play here, it was for the proximity to Montreal, it gave my parents and friends the opportunity to come see me play. It was also important to me that it was a small university so that I could have a little help academically because I spoke little English.”
Houle was drafted in the fourth round by the Canadian in 1993, then he played four seasons at Clarkson. He then played for five teams in five seasons in the ECHL and American League before hanging up his skates. After a year of activity, his life changed.
“I received a phone call from one of my former coaches who had become a coach here and he was looking for a young assistant to come and help with recruitment, especially in Quebec. Speaking French and having played here, it was quite easy for me to make the transition as coach.
Responsibilities
“Being the coach of a small university program is quite a challenge, but it’s a great challenge,” Houle maintains during a long interview in the sports complex housing the team’s quarters. As head coach of the Golden Knights, he also oversees player recruitment.
“It’s something I love doing, I have several decisions to make compared to what I did with the Rocket where I focused on coaching work.”
“There’s recruiting, trying to convince players, relationships with alumni to raise funds to continue to advance the program and continue to develop players, it’s a lot, but it’s a great challenge.”
Recruitment is mainly done in what he calls the backyard which is located in Potsdam in the state of New York, about fifty kilometers south of Cornwall. He and his deputies focus on the triangle formed by Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
The NHL in the lead
Even if he seems to be as happy as a fish in water in this environment that is familiar to him, that does not mean that he has given up on the dream of one day managing in the NHL.
“For sure I want to coach in the National League one day, whether it’s from here or the American League, that’s something I would love to do one day.”
“Yes, I was in a good position [avec le Rocket] to continue growing towards this role one day, but for me any position is good [pour] to grow. It depends on all your experiences.”
