Jake Hauswirth-Photo courtesy SC Stingrays

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - There is a saying in hockey “that you can’t teach size.”  Jake Hauswirth, a 21 year old rookie with the South Carolina Stingrays certainly doesn’t have to “learn” the size part of the game. The 6’5”, 210 pound, left handed, shooting forward is easy to spot during warm-ups and in the corners during games.  Importantly, he is also being noticed for his play on the ice as he progresses, gains confidence and assumes special teams’ responsibilities, as he moves deep into his first year of professional hockey.

The rangy affable forward, who at one time early in amateur hockey, was frequently one of the smaller players on his minor hockey teams has filled out. He carried about 190 pounds while playing in the Junior “A” Tier One United States Hockey League. Working out, growing and bulking up has him now weighing in at the aforementioned 210 pounds yet despite his size, he is a quick skater. Accordingly, he has been getting an increasing amount of ice time as well as the opportunity to play on the penalty kill despite his short pro career.

Hauswirth’s, increased role with the ECHL leading Stingrays (29-9-2-4, 64 points) has, in part, been necessary as the ‘Rays have been decimated by the recall of many of their more experienced players to the American Hockey League. Currently seven players who were on the roster when the season started are playing in the AHL. Thus, by a combination of necessity and personal development the young forward has been given more responsibility. The combination of Hauswirth’s skating and his tremendous reach with his hockey stick allows him to cover a lot of ice and made him a natural for the ‘Rays’ penalty kill.    

Importantly, the property of the Washington Capitals has shown growth on the ice. His development is noticeable especially defensively and in his ability to handle the faster and larger opponents in professional hockey. The extra time on ice has paid off, as he has been a mainstay for the ‘Rays in 35 games, posting 7 goals and 18 assists, good for 25 points. He is also currently carrying a plus 17 and is tied for second place on the roster in this category. He missed nine games early on, due to an early season upper body injury.

Hauswirth played his minor amateur hockey in his home town of Merrill, Wisconsin, located in the northern part of the state. Given the geography of his upbringing he naturally gravitated to play junior hockey first, in the tier-two North American Hockey League for the Junior “A” Marquette Rangers located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After a year with the Rangers, he moved on to the Omaha Lancers of the tier-one United States Hockey League. He spent two seasons with the Lancers attracting the attention of college scouts. Junior players move out of junior level hockey before they reach the age of 21 and about 50 percent of players coming out of the USHL move on to play NCAA collegiate hockey.

Initially, Hauswirth signed a letter of intent to play collegiate hockey with Michigan Technical University in Houghton, Michigan for the 2009-10 season. He had gone undrafted in the previous NHL entry draft and thus college was a natural progression out of junior hockey, as a stop before turning professional. This started to change when Hauswirth attended the Washington Capitals’ 2008 summer development prospects as a free agent.

The former Omaha Lancer had a great showing and was rated by many observers as one of the top three players in the 2008 camp.  He returned to the USHL for the 2008-09 season racking up 52 points, in 58 games, including 28 goals for the Lancers. After completion of his last year in junior hockey the Capitals offered him a three year entry level contract. He turned pro, signing in May of 2009.

After attending another Washington development camp in the summer of 2009 and their preseason camp in the fall, he was assigned to the ECHL Stingrays to ensure he got to play on a regular basis and continue his development.  

While he wasn’t drafted and was signed as a free agent, he may fit well into the long range plans of the Washington Capitals. Capitals General Manager George McPhee or GMGM as he is known on the blogs, places solid value on free agents.

“You have to try and use every avenue available to find players” he said when announcing the Hauswirth signing. It also may eventually help that Capitals’ coach Bruce Boudreau, himself a career minor leaguer, seems to have special affection for the lower round draft choices and free agents when he weighs in on personnel decisions.

Hauswirth while not in the short-range Capitals’ plans could if he develops, give the Capitals another big man to clog space in front of the net. His special teams’ play could be an added value.  Of course this scenario requires his continued development and success both here in Charleston and hopefully for him next year at the AHL level in Hershey.

Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com