Courtesy of Hobart College Sports Information

GENEVA, N.Y.-Hobart College senior Shawn Houde (Manchester, N.H.) will make his professional debut in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) tonight. He will suit up for the Johnstown (Ps.) Chiefs as they take on the Wheeling (W.Va.) Nailers at the WesBanco Arena in West Virginia. Faceoff is set for 7:35 p.m.

The 2007-08 Co-ECAC West Player of the Year, Houde served as captain to this year's Hobart hockey team, guiding the Statesmen to an 18-8-2 overall record and their third NCAA Tournament appearance. A forward, he finished the winter ranked second on the team in points (23), and third in goals (11) and assists (12). He also led the team with seven power-play tallies, and recorded a team-best nine power-play points. Houde notched a season-high three points on a goal and two assists in Hobart's 6-5 victory at Brockport on Nov. 18. For his career, he totaled 44 goals and 29 helpers for 73 points.

Houde adds his name to a list of Statesmen already playing professionally, including Will Bodine '06, Greg Gallagher '06, Mike McCarthy '07, and Carl Michaelson '04. Houde will join Gallagher in Johnstown, while Bodine is playing for the Augusta (Ga.) Lynx of the ECHL, and McCarthy and Michaelson are currently competing in Europe.

Fans interested in following tonight's Chiefs/Nailers game can watch or listen live online by visiting the ECHL's schedule page.