Houser makes NHL debut

Former Manchester Monarchs, Fort Wayne Komets and Cincinnati Cyclones' goaltender Michael Houser became the 696th former ECHL player to reach the National Hockey League when he debuted with the Buffalo Sabres against the New York Islanders on Monday.

Houser is the 18th former ECHL player to make his NHL debut during the 2020-21 season. He has appeared in 210 career ECHL games with an overall record of 127-57-22 with 11 shutouts, a 2.47 goals-against average and a save percentage of .915. Houser was named ECHL Goaltender of the Year with Cincinnati in 2018-19 after going 29-7-5 with two shutouts, a 2.13 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Houser has seen action in 73 career games in the American Hockey League with Tucson, Cleveland, Ontario and San Antonio where he has gone 32-26-4 with three shutouts, a 2.87 goals-against average and a save percentage of .901.