Réjean Houle
President, Canadiens Alumni
President, Canadiens Alumni
Réjean Houle was President of the Canadiens Alumni from 1983 to 1995 before returning to this role in 2000. In his duties, he oversees the activities of all members of the Association.
Born in Rouyn on October 25, 1949, he first came to Montreal at age 17, following a prolific season with the Thetford Mines Junior team, to attend his first training camp with the Junior Canadiens. Houle would win the Memorial Cup as captain of this team before being selected first overall in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft by the Montreal Canadiens.
He would first skate with the Habs in 1969-70, the first of a successful 14-year career in pro hockey with the Montreal Canadiens and the Quebec Nordiques in the WHA. In 635 regular season games with the Canadiens, he recorded 161 goals and 247 helpers for a total of 408 points. In the playoffs, he added 48 points, including 14 goals, in 90 post-season games. He etched his name on the Stanley Cup five times as a member of the Montreal Canadiens, in 1971, 1973, 1977, 1978 and 1979.
Following his playing career, he joined the Molson Brewery in Montreal where he would spend 12 years as a member of the management team as director of public relations. On October 21, 1995, Réjean Houle was named General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens, a position he held until November 2000.