Observations:

January 2016 – Houser has spent the majority of the season with the ECHL Manchester Monarchs. Through 11 games he has posted a 2.63 goals-against average to go along with a .913 save percentage. He is in a tough goalie battle with former NHL goalie Peter Budaj, but both goalies have propelled the Monarchs to a 21-10-2-1 record. Lee Rayson

January 2015 – Houser has had a disappointing campaign as his AHL San Antonio Rampage hit the midway point of their season.  After an encouraging season last year, he has seen his numbers slide this season, posting a 3.26 GAA and an .887% save percentage through 14 games.  He has been serving as the backup to Dan Ellis this season.  Lee Rayson

February 2014 – Houser continues to improve and is now showing his worth as a capable AHL backup. In limited action (13 games) he has a solid 2.55 GAA and .915 SV%. In the three games he has started after being promoted from the ECHL he is 2-0-1 while stopping 94 of the 99 shots thrown his way. Not worth a pickup yet as he isn't even a starter yet but with the way he has continually proven doubters wrong its tough not to take notice. Nathan Kanter

December 2013 – Houser has continued to post very strong numbers for the Cyclones of the ECHL. He has shown capable that he can play at the AHL level so it is not very surprising that he boasts solid ECHL stats: 1.97 GAA and .936 SV%. Nathan Kanter

November 2013 – Houser was assigned to the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones because Markstrom was sent down to the AHL (which happened because Clemmensen became healthy again and Thomas had been outplaying Markstrom). Houser has looked good in two games with a .936 SV% and shouldn't spend the whole year in the ECHL. Nathan Kanter

November 2013 – It's still early, but Houser appears to be defying the odds again in his rookie AHL season. He is now the Rampage go-to guy in net, as he's started four of the teams last five games. He is now 4-1-0 on the season with a 2.17 GAA and .917 SV%. Nathan Kanter

October 2013 – Houser was assigned to San Antonio (AHL) September 27. The AHL is the next test for a goaltender who has repeatedly defied the odds. Nathan Kanter

July 2013 – Michael Houser is a late blooming goaltender who was never drafted but made waves when he led the OHL’s London Knights to the Memorial Cup in 2011-12. That season, he played 62 of the team’s 68 games and never seemed fatigued, winning 46 games to go along with a .925 SV% and 2.47 GAA. The Knights failed to win the coveted trophy for top team in the CHL, and Houser was subsequently passed over for the third draft in a row. However, Houser nonetheless caught the eye of Panthers upper management when they invited him to their prospects camp. Houser seized his opportunity and signed a three-year entry-level deal July 11, 2012. He failed to crack the AHL roster of the San Antonio Rampage this past season but had good numbers for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL, going 17-10-2 with a .917 SV% and 2.55 GAA. With Markstrom graduating to the NHL this season, Florida clearly has its starter of the future, but that movement opens up an opportunity for Houser to show what he can do for the Rampage. Nathan Kanter

Fantasy Outlook: C-

While goalies typically take quite some time to develop, Houser will likely need to continue to work on his game in the minor leagues for quite some time before becoming fantasy hockey relevant.

Footage:

Houser shootout stops vs Saginaw October 2010:

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