BOWLING GREEN — Five years ago, Alec Rauhauser was just hoping somebody — anybody — in Division I hockey would notice him.
Rauhauser had been an under-the-radar prospect as a high schooler in his home state of North Dakota, and even after a breakout second season in junior hockey, it felt to him like not much had changed.
The 6-foot-3 defenseman had 37 points in his second year with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League, and still had not committed to a college hockey program at age 20, and not for a lack of trying on his end.
"After my second year in Des Moines, I had almost 40 points that year, and I still wasn't committed," Rauhauser said. "It was like, 'Geez, what do I have to do to get committed?'
Rauhauser's chance wasn't far away, however, and he certainly has made the most of it.
Bowling Green found a plug-and-play defenseman in Rauhauser, who played immediately upon arriving to campus. He earned a spot on the WCHA’s all-rookie team as a freshman, was a second team All-American by his sophomore year, served a key cog in helping BG make it first NCAA tournament in 29 years as a junior, and earned the “C” as the Falcons' captain for his currently ongoing senior season.
Rauhauser is one of the top defensemen in college hockey this season, yet was met with apprehension each step of the way on his hockey journey.
"In high school he was really good, in junior hockey he was really good, and he's obviously been really good here — but he's always had to prove himself," Falcons coach Ty Eigner said. "It's always been, 'Well, what about this, or what about that?'"
This time around, however, Rauhauser might not have to do nearly as much as waiting.
Professional scouts are closely watching Rauhauser, who now has 121 points in 157 college games, serves as the quaterback of the Falcons' power play, and has been a top-pairing defenseman for several years.
Being described a professional prospect sounds odd to Rauhauser, but there undoubtedly is a market waiting for him as soon as the Falcons' seasons ends.
"It is definitely weird because, growing up and even through college, I look around college hockey and see all these guys signing pro," he said. "Sometimes, I guess I wouldn't consider myself part of that group, but obviously with the way I've been playing over these four years, I set myself up for something after college, hopefully."
The knock on Rauhauser will be skating, which was questioned at the junior and college levels, too, though he said he's never felt like pace was an issue for him.
Rauhauser’s best skill is decision-making with the puck, a trait he’s carried with him since his early days.
”The patience for his age was uncanny,” said Troy Olson, who coached Rauhauser at Bismarck (N.D.) Century High School. “He would hang onto the puck and let the play develop, whereas most kids would take a shot that has less of a chance. He’ll let it develop because of his composure with the puck.”
Like most players, Rauhauser is sure to be tested by the speed of the professional game, but his BG coaches are confident that they know what will come next.
"We have no doubt that when he gets to the next level, when he gets to pro hockey, he'll do exactly what he's done in the past," Eigner said, "and that's exceed expectations."
Rauhauser, who will turn 25 on Saturday, had a longer-than-average wait to even make it to college hockey, but as he readies for the next step, Raushauser said the process made him a better player.
"It definitely taught me patience. Every league I went to, they didn't really know if I'd be able to make it there," Rauhauser said. "It's been a long road, but it's been the right road for me."
First Published March 4, 2020, 4:42 p.m.
