Martin Houle

Martin G. Houle (born February 12, 1985 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, who is currently playing with the Sorel-Tracy GCI of the LNAH.

Playing career
Houle started his career by playing junior hockey for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL from 2001 to 2005. Despite a rough start, he ended the 2003-04 season ranked second in the league with 34 wins and a 2.32 GAA. He was also named QMJHL Goalie of the Year and was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers 232nd overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Despite the low pick, the organization was really excited about drafting him. He proved their trust was correctly placed when he was named QMJHL Defensive Player of the Year and finished 7th in the QMJHL in wins (26) and 5th in GAA (2.51) the following year.

Following his senior season in the QMJHL, he attended Flyers training camp, but was reassigned to the Trenton Titans of the ECHL at the close of the Philadelphia Phantoms training camp. Houle had played seven straight games for the Titans after Scott Stirling was traded to the San Antonio Rampage. In those seven games, he managed to put together the sixth best goals against average in the ECHL.

The Phantoms liked what they saw in him and decided to switch him with Rejean Beauchemin, who was struggling early in the season. At the AHL level, Houle excelled. However, the test truly came when Jamie Storr was called up to be backup goalie for Antero Niittymäki while Robert Esche was on the injury list. With Storr in the NHL, Houle became the starting goalie and retained this for the rest of the season.

Scheduled to be a restricted free agent following the 2007-08 season, Houle became an unrestricted free agent when the Flyers didn't extend him a qualifying offer. Houle would eventually sign with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers, but after three games and recording a 1-2-0 record with a 3.03 GAA, Houle would be traded to the Cincinnati Cyclones. He is currently playing senior hockey in Southern New Brunswick, while take Business Administration at the University of New Brunswick, where he is currently redshirting, and will likely be the starter when UNB hosts the CIS Nationals in 2011 and 2012. UNB is the reigning CIS Nationahl Champions.

Awards

 * 2003-04: QMJHL First All-Star Team
 * 2003-04: Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy
 * 2003-04: CHL Second All-Star Team
 * 2004-05: QMJHL Telus Defensive Player of the Year