Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa.– Last week, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced they re-signed Sam Houde, a forward, to an AHL contract for the entirety of the 2023-2024 season.
The 23-year-old Houde comes back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton from Blainville, Quebec. The Montreal Canadiens drafted him in the 5th round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He stands 6 foot tall, weighs 172 pounds, and shoots left. One of Houde’s best skills, which fans took notice of this past season with Wilkes-Barre, was his speed. Houde’s hockey IQ and hockey sense is highlighted when it comes to his playmaking abilities.
Before playing professionally, he played his junior career for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the QMJHL. In 232 games for Chicoutimi, Houde posted 60 goals with 95 assists. He also posted 131 PIMS in 232 games. Houde served as Alternate Captain in the 2019-2020 season and Captain in 2020-2021. In 2020-2021, Chicoutimi earned the best record in the East Division of the QMJHL.
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When Houde signed with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the 2021-2022 season, he played 19 games in the American Hockey League. He posted 1 goal and 5 assists. He was sent to Pittsburgh Penguins ECHL Affiliate, Wheeling Nailers, where he played in 31 games and tallied 13 goals and 30 assists. He also assisted in their playoff run that year and dressed in 7 games with 1 goal and 5 assists.
Houde took the lead last year for rookies on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton squad, where he posted 12 goals and 20 assists in 65 games played. In 84 career AHL games, all with the Penguins, Houde posted 13 goals with 13 assists.
Last season, Houde found himself on the first line for a chunk of time, but most of the campaign, if not scratched or injured, he was a 2nd or 3rd liner for Wilkes-Barre. He also served on Wilkes-Barre’s power play, where he took the chance to snipe and tallied goals when he got the shot off. Houde elevated his game this past year, after spending his rookie season with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL. During the 21-22 season, Houde played 19 games in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre and played in a bottom-six role. Houde can play in all types of situations that come up and has a pass-first mentality on the ice. He is a solid defensive player and adds offense into plays when needed. Houde has a gritty side to his game and is not afraid to get in the dirty areas to make a play during games.
While Houde is on an AHL contract, he is not owned specifically by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Houde does not count towards the 50 NHL contract limit. If he were to be recalled by Pittsburgh this season, he would first have to be signed to an NHL contract to play.
