PHS player joins hockey elite

PALMER — Jared Hanson thought he had a realistic chance to play in the United States Hockey League some day in the future.

But as it turns out, that opportunity is coming sooner rather than later.

Earlier this summer the Lincoln Stars of the USHL signed Hanson, and the Palmer High School standout is slated to skate with the Tier I Junior A hockey team when the season starts in September.

“I’m really excited,” Hanson said earlier this week. “Honestly, I didn’t really expect it this year. Really, it was more to get noticed, get on the radar and go for next year.”

Hanson attended an invitation-only camp hosted by the Nebraska-based program early in the summer. It marked the first time he participated in a USHL camp, and Hanson said he initially went with the hope of getting more exposure, not necessarily earning a spot on the roster.

But Hanson worked his way through the showcase. He played in three games and an all-star game. After that, the Lincoln coaching staff formerly offered him a position on the team.

Now Hanson has the opportunity to skate at an elite level for his age group. The 16-year-old is a member of a team in the only Tier I Junior A hockey league in the United States, and a league that’s widely known as a step away from Division I hockey.

Hanson is one of two Alaska players to make the Lincoln squad. Former Dimond defenseman Dax Lauwers is also slated to be on the team, but Hanson is one of only a handful of Mat-Su Valley products to earn a spot on a USHL team in recent memory.

Early in this decade, former Colony standout defensemen Jake Luthi and Nathan Schwartzbauer played in the USHL (Luthi with the Sioux City Musketeers and Sioux Falls Stampede, and Schwartzbauer Musketeers) before signing letters of intent to Division I schools.

Dan Hacker, a Wasilla product, also played for the USHL’s Omaha Lancers for two seasons.

But a shot at the USHL is still considered a rare feat for Valley players.

Hanson played two seasons with the Moose varsity hockey program. In February, as a sophomore, Hanson helped lead Palmer to its first state tournament appearance in 13 years.

During his time with the Palmer High squad, Hanson also skated for the Anchorage-based Alaska All-Stars program. With the All-Stars, Hanson said he was able to participate in a number of tournaments outside of the state.

“It gave me the chance to go to the showcase tournaments and get seen,” Hanson said.

Hanson said he’s slated to play on the wing with the Stars, but also played at center during his prep career. But at this point, he said, he just wants to play wherever he can.

“I just want to get as much ice time as I can,” Hanson said.

Hanson is due to leave on Aug. 16 and admitted it will be difficult to leave home as a 16-year-old and incoming junior in high school.

In addition to playing with the Stars, Hanson will live with a host family and attend Lincoln Southeast High School, he said.

“It’s going to be tough, but from what I’ve heard the (host) families pretty much treat you like you’re their kid,” Hanson said. “It should be all right.”

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.