Chris Rauckman hopes to add scoring depth to UPEI Panthers lineup
Chris Rauckman loves to score goals. The 6'0, 190-lb left winger put up 80 goals over the past two seasons in junior hockey and he is hoping for continued success as he joins the UPEI Panthers Men's Hockey program in September.
'Right now I am just training hard to be in the best shape of my life because I know the college hockey on the east coast is as good as it gets,' said Rauckman, a native of Red Deer, Alberta. 'I've always prided myself on scoring goals and I am hoping to put my ability to good use to help our team succeed.'
Rauckman played three seasons of Tier 2 junior hockey in western Canada. He had 39 goals and 64 points in 56 games last season with the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. He had planned on continuing his hockey career in the US college ranks and had seriously explored those options. He said he never put much emphasis on playing in the CIS until he became friends at the gym with another Red Deer native-Panthers third-year defenceman Derek Ryckman.
'Rycks was always talking about how good the hockey was, about how awesome PEI is and this top quality college hockey program at UPEI,' Rauckman said. 'When my final junior season ended, I started to give it a more serious look, made a visit to PEI and everyone was so nice…it made me confident that I was making the right choice.'
Panthers' coach Forbes MacPherson said initial scouting reports on the left winger were intriguing and the further he explored, more positives were revealed.
'His coaches, opponents' coaches, and scouts all kept saying the same thing-this is a guy who has a laser of a shot and who always seems to excel and score from the dirty areas,' said MacPherson. 'He is a character player. He doesn't mind paying the price for a scoring chance and he just competes hard every night. I am excited to see what he can bring to our lineup.'
Rauckman will enroll in the Arts program in September.
Athletics and Recreation director Chris Huggan welcomes Rauckman to the University.
'The recruiting process is such an exciting time for our athletic programs and our University,' said Huggan. 'The renewed sense of optimism brings excitement and energy to the campus. I look forward to seeing Chris succeed in the classroom and, on the ice, as a member of the Panther family.'
About UPEI Athletics and Recreation
• Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place
• Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas
