Mike Hough was a Canadian ice hockey player who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a left winger. He was born on January 7, 1963, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Hough began his hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Sherbrooke Castors in 1980. He played for the Castors for three seasons, scoring 97 goals and 130 assists in 179 games.
In 1983, Hough was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Nordiques in the 1984-85 season, playing in 11 games and scoring one goal. Hough spent the next two seasons splitting time between the Nordiques and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Fredericton Express.
In 1987, Hough was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he played for the next four seasons. He had his best season with the Maple Leafs in 1989-90, scoring 25 goals and 22 assists in 80 games. Hough was known for his physical play and his ability to play on both the power play and penalty kill.
In 1991, Hough was traded to the Hartford Whalers, where he played for the next five seasons. He was a key player for the Whalers, helping them reach the playoffs in four of his five seasons with the team. Hough was known for his leadership and work ethic, and he was named an alternate captain for the Whalers in 1994.
In 1996, Hough was traded to the New York Islanders, where he played for two seasons. He was a solid contributor for the Islanders, scoring 14 goals and 16 assists in 70 games in his first season with the team. Hough retired from the NHL after the 1997-98 season, finishing his career with 144 goals and 187 assists in 796 games.
After retiring from the NHL, Hough became a coach and scout. He served as an assistant coach for the Florida Panthers from 2003 to 2005, and he was a scout for the Panthers from 2005 to 2010. Hough also served as a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2010 to 2015.
In conclusion, Mike Hough had a successful career in the NHL as a physical and versatile left winger. He played for five different teams over the course of his career, and he was known for his leadership and work ethic. After retiring from the NHL, Hough became a coach and scout, continuing to contribute to the sport he loved.
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