View from the Crease

In this installment of "View from the Crease," McKeen's correspondent Kevin Hopson touches on another American netminder - Michael Houser of the London Knights. Goaltender coach Bill Dark offers his insight on the OHL rookie.

As a backup goaltender in London, Michael Houser may not be garnering the type of attention that other draft-eligible CHL goalies are, but he is putting together a solid rookie season in the OHL nonetheless. The 17-year-old was acquired as a free agent by the Knights last June after spending the 2008-09 season with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. Houser's 2.95 goals-against-average (11th) and .904 save percentage (14th) rank just outside the top ten, and he has posted an impressive record of 9-3-1 in his 14 starts this season.

Houser is a natural butterfly goalie who tends to go down on every shot. However, because of his strong glove play and proper form, Houser can often get away with this. London goaltending coach Bill Dark agrees with this assessment.

"It is common for young goalies to drop early," Dark commented. "However, Houser does have above-average hand speed and is excellent at keeping his upper body upright and square."

Physically, Houser possesses exceptional pads and agility, which means he is almost never out of the play. According to Dark, though, Houser's mental game is even better.

"I think his competitiveness and strong mind may be his best attributes," Dark said. "He does not get rattled by a weak goal, and he is at his best late in close games."

One drawback for Houser, at least in the short-term, is his inexperience. He has played in only 14 of the Knights' 41 games this season. On the other hand, Houser is learning from an experienced netminder in Michael Hutchinson, and he will likely take over the starting role next season.

"I like the way Michael is getting one game a week in," Dark stated. "Playing behind a veteran like Michael Hutchinson is perfect for him. He will still have two full years as a starter in London to carry the bulk of the games."

When asked which NHL players Houser might compare to, Dark had a few in mind.

"I would physically compare Houser to one guy I am familiar with from Windsor - Flyers goaltender Michael Leighton. Mentally, I would say Brodeur or Fuhr in the way he shrugs off goals and bears down in tight situations," Dark concluded.

Scouting Report:

Michael Houser (2010), G, London Knights (OHL)

Natural butterfly goalie who goes down on just about every shot, but he can get away with this given his speedy glove hand and solid play on the blocker side .. adequate at challenging shooters and will prop himself upright to fill the holes and look big .. not bad in his positioning but tends to over slide at times, thus pulling him away from the middle of the net on occasion .. however, he possesses exceptional pads and agility, which means he is never out of the play .. enjoys a fluid and swift butterfly slide and can also shuffle quickly on his knees .. he can reverse play (transfer) almost instantaneously thanks to his quality skating skills .. successful at trapping low, straight-on shots between his pads and cradling body pucks between his chest and glove .. directs off-center shots safely into the sideboards and corners .. lacks experience, which could be the one thing that holds him back in the near-term.