Prospect Report: Hanowski going through some growing pains at St. Cloud State

Born: 10-18-1990

Position: Winger

Height: 6-2 Weight: 198-pounds

Hometown: Little Falls, Minn.

Current Team: St. Cloud State University

Hanowski had a prolific high school hockey career scoring 73 goals and 135 points (73-62-135) in 31 games, for Little Falls (2008-2009) during his senior season.

Strengths: Exceptional puck skills, when it comes to his stick handling/goal scoring ability.

– Has a knack for scoring goals

– Elusive when a defender is closing on him

– Good at moving the puck in tight

– Smart two way player

– Hard worker, student of the game

– Performed well in testing drills at Penguins July prospect camp in drills that had an emphasis on quick feet

Weaknesses: Not an exceptional skater, lacks breakaway speed but has quick feet.

– Overall Skating ability

– Body needs to fill out

– Needs atleast two-three years of college hockey to get stronger and prepare for the physicality of professional hockey

Ben Hanowski ended his 1st semester at St. Cloud University with mixed results, finishing with only 5 goals and 2 assists in 20 games played.

Hanowski got off to a strong start scoring two goals in his first collegiate game against Lethbridge but only has 3 goals in his last 19 games.

As the schedule got tougher, Hanowski’s production has dropped off and consistency at both ends of the ice has been a issue according to reps I’ve talked to with St. Cloud State.

One thing assistant coach Eric Rud has been stressing is for Hanowski to have confidence in his offensive skills.

Prior to the draft, an NHL scouting director compared Hanowski to having to the puck skills of Tomas Vanek when he made the jump to the College Ranks.

He’s going through some growing pains at both ends of the ice, however, team scouts with the Penguins have not been discouraged by Hanowski’s lack of production and claim he’s right where they expected him to be.

A bright spot for Hanowski going into the second semester is that he had a strong game Friday night against Colorado College, adding a goal and three shots and is starting to build some momentum with 2 goals in his last five games to end the semester.

No.17 St. Cloud returns to the ice January 2nd against Brown University.