Thursday, 04.12.18 / 11:42 am CT
The IceRays have signed Carshield AAA 18U forward Jacob Wiethaupt to a tender contract. He will be competing for a roster spot at the start of the 2018-19 season.
“Jacob is a two-way forward who is reliable and can score goals,” IceRays Scout Kyle O’Kane said. “His competitive edge and work ethic has really helped him succeed this season. Plays a heavy game for his size.”
The 6’0,” 160 pound forward is another St. Louis native, and is looking to become one of many to thrive with the IceRays in the near future. Before his career at CarShield, the 18-year-old played in the St. Louis AAA Blues organization, the same program which helped to develop Trevor Wilhelm, Noah Roofe, and Bud Winter, all of whom are expected to be vital components on the IceRays next season. While the Blues got him his start, Wiethaupt is convinced he would not have been prepared to make the jump to the IceRays without the help of his last team.
“I’m very excited to tender with the IceRays and continue to grow as a player and individual within their organization,” Wiethaupt said. “I’m grateful for the CarShield AAA coaching staff I had, JP Beilsten and Kyle O’Kane. They really helped me get prepared for the next level by pushing me on and off the ice during the last couple of years.”
Wiethaupt scored at over a point-per-game pace with CarShield this season, scoring 21 points (10 G, 11 A) in 18 regular season games played, before putting up four assists in as many games in the playoffs. He was third on his team in total scoring and as the team Captain, provided integral leadership qualities in what would be his final season of midget hockey. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to be a leader to an amazing group of teammates this year,” Wiethaupt added.
Two-way forwards with the ability to lead and to score will be in high demand for the IceRays next season. By all accounts, Wiethaupt embodies the prototypical Brad Flynn forward, and ought to be able to make a fairly seamless transition.
For the first time in junior franchise history, the IceRays have secured a playoff berth in back-to-back seasons. They will kick off the postseason with Game One of a best-of-five division semi-final series tomorrow, April 13th in Shreveport, Louisiana at George’s Pond Coliseum against the Shreveport Mudbugs. Puck drop is set for 7:11 pm CT. The game will be broadcast in HD on HockeyTV, as well as on SportsRadio Corpus Christi (1230 AM, 95.1 FM, 96.1 FM).
