Zach Houben to play in 100th career OHL game
OTTAWA, ON – It’s hard not to notice Zach Houben when he’s on the ice for the Barber Poles. Standing at 6-foot-6, he sticks out like a sore thumb as one of the team’s two towering players, alongside deadline acquisition David Bedkowski. Opposing teams will also get the memo when Houben is on the ice, as he barrels down the ice at blazing speed, frequently the 67’s first man on the forecheck.
His size, speed, and work ethic combo has made him an invaluable part of the 67’s roster, where he’ll have suited up for 100 games on Saturday.
“Reaching 100 games, it’s definitely a special moment,” said Houben.
“I am so thankful for everyone who’s helped me get to this point; there are lots of people rooting for me in my corner; coming from a small town,” he said. “There are a lot of people I want to make proud, I am going to be playing for them on the 100th for sure.”
Houben’s road to the O was a bit more winding than most, joining the 67’s as a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft. He’ll be the fifth player taken outside of the Top 100 in 2023 to suit up for 100 career games.
“My path here, coming in as a fifth-rounder, there was a little bit of uncertainty,” he said. “I had to come in here and prove my way onto the team.”
However, slowly but surely, Houben began to find his groove and mould himself into a fit for the roster.
“It’s kind of been my identity I’ve found, coming in here every night and giving it my all,” he said.
An energy forward on the ice, Houben has also cemented himself as a character off the ice as well. It’s in these off-ice get-togethers that he cherishes the most so far in his time with the 67’s.
“Getting together and getting dinners together,” he said, was his favourite part about being with the team. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
“In my first year, I was fortunate enough to live with two other players,” he said. “It makes it a lot easier, moving away from home, being comfortable, and enjoying your time here.”
“I think I’ve been surrounded by great role models since the first day I’ve been here; a lot of guys who have been in the league,” he said. “I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a player and as a person, finding what I need to do and how I can help the team play their best.”
Among those rolemodels has been coach Dave Cameron, whose impact on Houben has extended beyond the rink.
“A lesson I’ve learned, something Dave cements into us, is that you are responsible for you,” he said. “That’s something I’ll take with me when I’m done playing hockey.”
As Houben wraps up his second full season with the team and in the OHL, he’s got his eyes on making the most of the successful season so far.
“Not too often do you have an opportunity like we have this year with this group of guys; we’re a tight-knit group.”
“Having this chance to go on a run, here, it’s something that’s really special, and we can’t take it for granted,” he said. “Exciting times coming up, and we’ll have to make the most of it.”
