Pittsburgh native Michael Houser, goaltender for the London Knights of the OHL recently went undrafted at this year’s NHL draft. But that does not mean his hockey-playing days are over. The CHL goaltender of the year received prospect camp invites from both the Florida Panthers and the Winnipeg Jets.

Houser overcame a childhood obstacle most would find impossible. He was born with bilateral clubfeet which required 15 surgeries up until he was three years old. At one point, the doctor thought it would nearly impossible to play sports, let alone play at such a high level. Houser’s dad suggested that if his son really did have a love for hockey, that he should play goal where he could stay in the crease instead of worrying about skating a lot. Well dad, I think you made a pretty good decision.

In addition to being a nominee for CHL player of the year, he was also OHL’s most outstanding player, OHL goaltender of the year, OHL first-team all star, and Memorial Cup All Star. No big deal at all.

Current Penguin prospect Scott Harrington is teammates with Houser in London and believes that he deserves every possible chance to play in the NHL. “I hope people don’t hold the foot problem against him. It doesn’t affect his play at all. He absolutely deserves to get drafted.”

To someone who has overcome so much at such a young age, he deserves to make his dreams come true.

Good luck Michael!!