Let's Meet: Chad Rau

You may know the name Rau. If you are a hockey fan in Minnesota, and don't know the name Rau, you may not be paying close enough attention. Chad, and his brother Kyle, were both leaders at Eden Prairie High School, one of the premier programs in the state. Cake eaters, both of them.

I kid.

Originally slected by the Maple Leafs, Chad Rau has been improving little by little throughout his career. After leaving Minnesota for college in Colorado, he signed two seasons ago with the Aeros, and looks to be acclimating to professional hockey fairly well. Is he the guy who is going to be a savior? Don't get your hopes up, but he is likely a serviceable thirs line forward with the ability to help fill in on the second.

All that really matters? He is Minnesotan, and will wear number 36. If you somehow want more, make the jump.

The Stats

The Experts

From the Wild:

Rau, 24 (1/18/87), has tallied 19 points (7-12=19) and a plus-4 rating in 38 games with Houston this season. The 5-foot-11, 184-pound native of Eden Prairie, Minn., has not appeared in an NHL game and will wear sweater #36 with Minnesota.

From T3I (last year):

Not much was expected from Rau last season. The youth spotlight was instead focused on Colton Gilies and Cody Almond. But Rau was one of the few Aeros to excel last season, and with a year of professional play under his belt, and with a new coach coming in to take command, Rau should excel once again.

From Ms. Conduct:

Rau's been pretty quit this season, but scored one if the prettiest goals of the season just Friday night. He has really soft hands and good awareness out there. I think of him as a bit Bouchardian, but taller. Not real physical but he can pull the occasional rabbit out of his helmet if he gets some space. It will be fun to see where and how well he plays up there.

The Video

Seems like he has a head on his shoulders, if nothing else.

He can hit an open net. That's something.

Where Will He Slot In?

As mentioned before the jump, he isn't a savior. If he were, he would already be up, right? Still, he can be an NHL forward if he plays his game the way he plays it in Houston. It's good to get him a chance to show if he has it or not. If he plays, look for him to be on the second line, with maybe some power play time. It just doesn't make much sense to bring him up with Ortmeyer and then stick them both on the fourth line.

We'll see, though.