Alec Rauhauser One of ND's Best - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Alec Rauhauser One of ND's Best

Alec Rauhauser has 23 points so far this season for the Century Patriots hockey team-- 7th Best in the state.

And he's the only North Dakota high school player making waves nationally.

Alec Rauhauser, a Century Forward says, "It's every kids dream to make it to the NHL, but I didn't expect to get on that list or anything."

Alec Rauhauser is on his way to possibly making his childhood dream come true.

The Century Senior turned heads as a defenseman last fall in the Upper Midwest High School Elite league in Minnesota, enough so that NHL Central Scouting put him on the list of North American players to watch as a C skater, meaning he is a prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft.

"It's crazy didn't expect it after I played in the Minnesota Elite league and I made it on the Central Scouting and they said possibly 6th round or whatever 7th round it'd be really something special," says Alec.

His Head Coach, Troy Olson says, "He puts in the time in the off-season you know he's playing summer hockey he's playing in the fall elite leagues like I mentioned and he puts the time in stick handling and shooting pucks and so you know for him to get where he is at it definitely hasn't been by accident."

Alec has 23 points this season as a forward-- 9 goals and 14 assists-- many consider him the best player in North Dakota high school hockey this season.

"You know basically I just tell the guys that are on his line just go to the net with your stick down you know he sometimes surprises you and finds a way to put the puck on your stick but guys that do that always have some success." says Troy.

Many players with Alec's skill level leave home to play triple A or Junior hockey to get more looks but Rauhauser has stuck with his school.

When talking about his player, Troy notices, "He just loves being on the ice has a blast out there he likes playing with his friends which is a large reason why he stayed a large part of why he ended up staying and playing high school this year."

Alec's reasoning,"I wanted to finish out my high school career just finish out of century. if a team wants you while you're in high school they're gonna want you after high school."

This summer-- Alec will look for his name on the NHL draft board-- and until then-- he's helping his team work on a state title.

Alec hopes to play junior hockey after his high school career ends.

Tonight, Alec and the Patriots play in Minot.

Century is undefeated in WDA play, and leads the West by 3 points.