Doug Houda is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 16 seasons. He was born on June 3, 1966, in Blairmore, Alberta, Canada. Houda began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kamloops Blazers in 1983. He played for the Blazers for three seasons, during which he helped the team win two Memorial Cup championships in 1984 and 1985.
In 1986, Houda was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in the 1986-87 season and played for the team for four seasons. During his time with the Red Wings, Houda established himself as a reliable defenseman and a physical presence on the ice. He was known for his shot-blocking ability and his willingness to play a tough, physical game.
In 1990, Houda was traded to the Hartford Whalers, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Anaheim Ducks for one season before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1993. Houda played for the Kings for two seasons before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres in 1995. He played for the Sabres for three seasons and was a key member of the team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999.
After his stint with the Sabres, Houda signed with the New York Islanders in 1998. He played for the Islanders for two seasons before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 2000. Houda played for the Coyotes for one season before signing with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2001. He played for the Thrashers for two seasons before retiring from professional hockey in 2003.
Throughout his NHL career, Houda played in 561 regular-season games, scoring 19 goals and 70 assists for a total of 89 points. He also played in 54 playoff games, scoring one goal and six assists for a total of seven points. Houda was known for his defensive prowess and his ability to play a physical game. He was a respected teammate and a leader on and off the ice.
After retiring from professional hockey, Houda began his coaching career. He served as an assistant coach for the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2003-04 before joining the Boston Bruins organization as an assistant coach in 2006. Houda spent nine seasons with the Bruins, helping the team win the Stanley Cup in 2011. He then joined the Detroit Red Wings as an assistant coach in 2015 and has been with the team ever since. Houda is widely regarded as a knowledgeable and experienced coach who has a deep understanding of the game of hockey.
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