Florent Houle Could Be Another Diamond in the Rough for the Mammoth

The Utah Mammoth’s rookie camp was once again stocked with intriguing and big names. Dmitri Simashev, Daniil But, Tij Iginla, Michael Hrabal, Caleb Desnoyers. All of whom will be a big part of the NHL squad one day. There were even some great second-tier prospects in that group, including Tomas Lavoie, Gabe Smith, Yegor Borikov, and Artem Duda.

However, out of their six selections in the most recent draft, only one played every game in the rookie faceoff in San Jose, and only one really stood out. That was their fifth-round pick, Florent Houle, who might end up being another diamond in the rough pick by general manager Bill Armstrong.

A Wrecking Ball Early in the Making

Being a fifth-round pick, there wasn’t that much publicity surrounding Houle being drafted. However, just like Ethan Belchetz and everyone drafted before him, it was everything he dreamed of and more.

“It feels amazing,” Houle said. “It’s a moment you’ve dreamed of your whole life. You get drafted, and then you put on the jersey and play some games. You can’t ask for more.”

Houle was drafted out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), a league the Mammoth are no strangers to. Smith, Desnoyers, Lavoie, and Maveric Lamoureux were all drafted out of the QMJHL.

However, Houle comes out of the Sherbrooke Phoenix, a team that has struggled to get out of the early rounds of the playoffs and has yet to produce any star NHL players. In fact, Houle is the only player on the team currently drafted by an NHL team. However, he’s enjoyed his time with the Phoenix and believes that he’s gotten to the point where he is now because of them.

“It’s been good,” Houle said. “I’m with Sherbrooke, great organization. They developed me in the way I want to be. I’m a unique player. My play style is unique. They really helped me with that, and they did a good job.”

Houle was fifth in points last season with the Phoenix and second in goals. To kick off this season, the forward already has five points after two games. That includes a two-goal outing from Friday’s game.

Le Flo Show se poursuit ce soir! Un 2e but ce soir pour Florent Houle 🤩 pic.twitter.com/usRZgPRZVY

— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) October 3, 2026

The great start to the season may be because of his hard work over the summer. Houle really focused on trying to get bigger. He was on the ice most of the offseason, trying to get stronger.

“I’m trying to get bigger and then some on-ice balance stuff too,” Houle said. “I got to be stronger on my skates and turning and stuff. Just don’t fall over and be the biggest and strongest guy on the ice.”

His strength was part of his game that really made him stand out from the other prospects during the rookie faceoff. Houle finished his hard checks every shift he had. It felt like every shift he made an impact physically, chasing after the puck and punishing those who got in his way of the puck, like a little wrecking ball. The forward wasn’t afraid to take the punishment either, taking the body and getting right back up and playing his game.

Houle also had some great passes throughout the games that allowed for some great opportunities for other players to score. While he didn’t produce a point in the three games, he had his looks, especially on a line with Borikov and Owen Allard.

It was Houle’s genuine style of play that really made him stand out to everyone. The forward has the ability to be a pest while moving the puck, something that could get him an NHL job one day.

“I’m trying to be tough to play against,” Houle said. “I’m trying to finish all my checks. Trying to finish everyone and be hard on them, hurting them. I’m trying to be better than yesterday. I’m trying to make some plays offensively. If I can make some plays offensively, I think that’s my game, just grinding it.”

That physicality and ability to make a difference offensively is something guys like Roadrunners head coach Steve Potvin really like to see, especially after a season where his team lacked physicality. Potvin gave him opportunities on the penalty kill, opportunities Houle took and ran with.

“He’s one of those guys that really likes to get in there,” Potvin said. “He plays a brand of hockey that I think a lot of people appreciate. There’s a lot of hockey in his shifts. He’s willing to take a check. He’s obviously one of those guys that puts the opposition on their heels, and to see him be able to make these little pocket plays, especially early on the penalty kill along the wall to get the clear. Those are big plays, big moments. Those are hockey plays that we like seeing our guys execute.”

A Lot to Look Forward to in the Future

Houle appeared in one preseason game for the Mammoth before being returned to the Phoenix. While it was clear that he was going to return to the QMJHL, it was an impressive first camp for the forward.

The forward has big ambitions to keep growing as well. He wants to keep getting better at what he’s already good at while finding his weaknesses and improving on those.

“My hitting and stuff is my identity,” Houle said. “It’s always gonna be there. I’m trying to get more productive, trying to get more scoring chances, more goals, make more plays. My identity is always gonna be there, finishing my checks and being the hardest worker on the ice.”

L'effort d'Ilya Kolmakov, les mains de Florent Houle! 🤝

Les 2 joueurs se démarquent à leur façon, pour un magnifique but! @PhoenixSherbroo pic.twitter.com/IXqdgXpsM6

— LHJMQ (@LHJMQ) March 5, 2026

Houle’s camp wasn’t perfect. He had some rough turnovers throughout the rookie faceoff and didn’t stand out during his lone preseason game, granted he wasn’t given top minutes like he was in San Jose. Houle also needs to keep getting better offensively while continuing his physicality.

Despite only getting the one preseason game and getting sent back to juniors early, getting to wear the Mammoth jersey for the first time in his career was something Houle really treasured. Especially after getting the dream call this summer, pulling on Utah’s crest meant a lot for one of the Mammoth’s most recent draft picks.

“It’s a good, really big organization,” Houle said. “It’s my first time playing with that jersey on, so it feels nice.”

Houle is still years away from joining the Mammoth. He might not even turn pro for a couple more seasons. However, he’s stood out early. His message to the Utah faithful might make his name one many fans will stay excited for until then.

“I’m a French guy,” Houle said. “I like to be the hardest worker on the ice, just hitting people.”

In just a couple of months, Houle has gone from a fifth-round pick to a pick that might just be a solid bottom-six NHL forward. How many people really expected Borikov to be what he’s projected to be today? Armstrong has the ability to find diamonds in the rough. Considering how good of a rookie camp the 19-year-old had this September, Houle could be the next name in line to be another steal of a pick for the Mammoth.