Clarkson Turns to Alum J.F. Houle as Next Coach (2024)

June 21, 2024 PRINT

by Mike McMahon/Staff Writer (@MikeMcMahonCHN)

Laval Rocket head coach Jean-Francois Houle, a Clarkson alum, has been named the next head coach of the program. Houle replaces Casey Jones, who resigned last week to become the head coach-in-waitingat Cornell.

Houle had been mentioned as a candidate, but he felt like a longshot only because he just signed a three-year extension to continue as the head coach of Montreal's AHL affiliate. Given his success in developing players for Montreal, he's been mentioned as a possible successor to Martin St. Louis at some point or as a future NHL head coach somewhere else.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to return and coach at my Alma Mater. I am excited about the future of Clarkson Hockey and eager to continue the rich history of the program,"Houle said in a statement."I am looking forward to becoming a mentor and instilling the Clarkson University Values to the next generation of student-athletes. My family and I have forged some deep friendships within the community and we are happy to make Potsdam home again."

NHL credentials aside, the Canadiens clearly see Houle as a key to talent development. Montreal is going through a rebuilding process, with dozens of recent picks playing in the AHL and more to come. A three-year extension for Houle represented the organization's trust in him to develop those players.

"For a coach, every path is different," he said last month when he signed his new deal. "Some come from the AHL, some come from being an assistant coach in the NHL, some come from the NCAA, every path is different for every coach. I'm a patient man. I think it's important to enjoy the moment, the present moment, where you are right now. That's what I intend to do. If there's an opportunity that arises in this organization, or other organizations, I'm always there to listen.

"But I always try to not look too far. I live in the present quite a bit."

Houle has a son who is playing lacrosse at nearby SUNY-Potsdam, and he's been living in Plattsburgh, N.Y., which commuting to Laval, in order to be in between. So all of that may have factored into Houle's decision.

Houle was an assistant at Clarkson from 2003-10, when he left to become the head coach of the Lewiston MAINEiacs in the QMJHL. Houle then spent three seasons as the head coach of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL) from 2011-14. He was named the head coach of the Laval Rocket in 2021.

"He's a player's coach," said Laval defenseman Tobie Paquette-Bisson. "I think it's always been what people say: he's there for the players, easy to talk to, everyone loves him.

"You'll never hear a player that doesn't like him. I think he's a really good fit with the Rocket."

Houle taking the job says a lot about his desire to lead his alma mater. He's not an assistant coach in search of a head coaching opportunity. He has a head coaching job with an NHL affiliate. Moving to Clarkson, it's because he wants that job, just like Jones left Clarkson to go back to his alma mater. This isn't a move he has to make for his resume.

Houle played at Clarkson from 1993-97, and was an NHL Draft pick of hishometown Canadiens (99th overall pick). By his senior year, he and Todd White co-captained the team to the ECAC's regular-season title and a No. 1seed in the NCAA Regionals. In total, Houle played 143 games with the Golden Knights, scoring 49 goals with 129 points overall.

"People who have been following Golden Knights hockey since we moved into Cheel Arena know JF was among the all-time fan favorites, who played every shift as if it was an overtime in the national championship," athletic director Laurel Kane said. "With work ethic, passion, loyalty and love for Clarkson hockey and the Potsdam Community, JF is the proven leader we need. He has a deep understanding of our program's values and a strong commitment to student athlete excellence both on and off the ice."

Houle's father, Rejaen, was a former No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft. Rejean played 635 NHL games for the Montreal Canadiens, and won five Stanley Cups.