CarShield AAA 18U forward Wiethaupt signs NAHL tender
April 13, 2018
The CarShield AAA hockey club of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAHL) is pleased to announce that forward and captain Jacob Wiethaupt has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Corpus Christi IceRays of the NAHL’s South Division.
“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 6’0/168 lbs. native of O’Fallon, Missouri, 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, 19, scored at over a point-per-game pace with CarShield this season, scoring 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) 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.
Wiethaupt is the 8th player from the CarShield AAA 18U team who has signed an NAHL tender this season.
A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders, which include two (2) tenders exclusively used on players from the NAPHL - plus or minus any trades - which became active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft, which will be held on June 5, 2018.
