 After a brief spell in the United Hockey League for the Muskegon Fury during their playoff run, Huppe spent the next four seasons in the East Coast Hockey League, where he played for Greenville Grrrowl, Greensboro Generals, Jackson Bandits, Arkansas RiverBlades, Cincinnati Cyclones and the South Carolina Stingrays.In 2004, Huppe joined the Belfast Giants and quickly became a huge fan favourite at the Odyssey Arena.He represented the Giants for three seasons, helping the side to the Elite League Championship in 2005/06 playing on the giants most successful line with Theo Fleury and Ed Courtenay.