Austin Wagner

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Austin Wagner

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|06|23}}

| birth_place = Calgary, Alberta, Canada

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 179

| position = Left wing

| shoots = Left

| league = AHL

| team = Chicago Wolves

| prospect_team =

| prospect_league =

| former_teams = Los Angeles Kings
Chicago Blackhawks
IK Oskarshamn

| ntl_team =

| draft = 99th overall

| draft_year = 2015

| draft_team = Los Angeles Kings

| career_start = 2017

| career_end =

}}

Austin Wagner (born June 23, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing with the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League (AHL). Wagner was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round, 99th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Wagner was born on June 23, 1997, in Calgary{{cite web |title=Ontario Reign vs Tucson Roadrunners Media Kit |url=https://www.ontarioreign.com/assets/doc/Game-Notes-12.05-at-Tucson-4dc79c4dde.pdf |website=ontarioreign.com |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |page=47 |date=2017}} to parents Kevin and Linda, and has an older brother Tyler.{{cite news |last1=Vanstone |first1=Rob |title=Calgarian Wagner pumped about playing in the Saddledome as he visits with the Regina Pats |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/Calgarian+Wagner+pumped+about+playing+Saddledome+visits+with+Regina+Pats/9293918/story.html |accessdate=October 6, 2018 |publisher=Calgary Herald |date=December 16, 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Playing career

Although Wagner began playing hockey at the age of three, he also played lacrosse with the Calgary Axemen of the Alberta Lacrosse Association before fully committing to hockey.{{cite web |author1=Ryan McKenna |title=Prospect of Interest: 411 on Austin Wagner |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/prospect-of-interest-411-on-austin-wagner/ |website=sportsnet.ca |accessdate=January 1, 2019 |date=June 19, 2015}} Wagner began his hockey career with the Blackfoot Minor Hockey Association before joining the Calgary Northstars.{{cite web |title=Austin Wagner |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=98493 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=January 1, 2019}} Although he played for the Calgary Northstars on the Bantam AA Blazers during their 2010–11 season, his playmaking ability and skill earned him a promotion to Midget AAA.{{cite web |title=CNHA Alumni sign NHL Contract, Wagner, Strand and Mitchell |url=http://www.calgarynorthstars.ca/article/29147 |website=calgarynorthstars.ca |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |date=January 1, 2018}} During his AAA years, Wagner played for Team Calgary North at the 2012 Alberta Cup{{cite web |title=2012 Alberta Cup NORTHWEST TEAM ROSTER |url=https://www.hockeyalberta.ca/uploads/source/2012cupstats.pdf |website=hockeyalberta.ca |accessdate=October 9, 2018 }} and Team Alberta at the 2012 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup.{{cite web |title=TEAM ALBERTA U16 |url=https://www.hockeyalberta.ca/uploads/source/2012U16Roster.pdf |website=hockeyalberta.ca |accessdate=October 9, 2018 }}

=Major junior=

Wagner was drafted in the 5th round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft by the Regina Pats at the age of 16.{{cite web |title=Draft Day Recap |url=http://reginapats.com/draft-day-recap |website=reginapats.com |accessdate=October 6, 2018 |date=May 3, 2012}} After attending the Pats training camp, he signed agreed to a contract with the team.{{cite web |title=Pats Sign Six Prospects |url=http://reginapats.com/pats-sign-six-prospects |website=reginapats.com |accessdate=January 1, 2019 |date=September 4, 2012}} He scored his first WHL goal in the first period of a 4–3 shootout loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers on December 15, 2013.{{cite web |title=Nick Schneider Brilliant in Pats Shootout Loss |url=http://reginapats.com/nick-schneider-brilliant-in-pats-shootout-loss |website=reginapats.com |accessdate=January 1, 2019 |date=December 15, 2013}}

After his rookie season, in which Wagner scored 2 points in 42 games, the Pats changed coaches to John Paddock which Wagner says contributed to his production increase in his sophomore season.{{cite news |last1=Zupke |first1=Curtis |title=Austin Wagner's speed has helped him make a quick rise in Kings organization |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/kings/la-sp-kings-wagner-20181128-story.html |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 28, 2018}} His sophomore year proved to be his breakout season with the Pats, as he scored 39 points in 61 games and was drafted 99th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.{{cite web |title=Austin Wagner Drafted 99th Overall |url=http://reginapats.com/austin-wagner-drafted-99th-overall |website=reginapats.com |accessdate=October 6, 2018 |date=June 27, 2015}} Leading up to the draft, Wagner's final ranking by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau was 35th overall amongst North American skaters{{cite web |title=NHL Central Scouting's 2015 final rankings |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-central-scoutings-2015-final-rankings/c-761663 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=January 1, 2019 |date=April 8, 2015}} and third in Anaerobic Fitness: Peak Power Output.{{cite web |last1=Chiari |first1=Mike |title=NHL Combine 2015: Full Results, Measurements, Highlights and Top Prospects |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2488519-nhl-combine-2015-full-results-measurements-highlights-and-top-prospects |website=bleacherreport.com |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |date=June 6, 2015}} He attended the Kings training camp prior to the 2015 season but was returned to the Pats on September 24, 2015.{{cite news |last1=Harder |first1=Greg |title=Pats' Wagner was treated like a King at NHL training camp |url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/pats-wagner-was-treated-like-a-king-at-nhl-training-camp |accessdate=January 1, 2019 |publisher=Regina Leader-Post |date=September 24, 2015}} Upon his return, Wagner once again had a breakout season and set new career highs with 62 points in 70 games.

Wagner again attended the Kings training camp prior to the 2016 season but was returned to the Pats on October 1, 2016.{{cite web |title=Austin Wagner Returns from L.A. Kings |url=http://reginapats.com/article/austin-wagner-returns-from-l-a-kings |website=reginapats.com |accessdate=January 1, 2019 |date=October 1, 2016}} The 2016–17 season was another breakout season for Wagner, as he set new career highs in goals and assists. That season, the Pats qualified for the WHL playoffs. Wagner scored a goal in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Championships against the Lethbridge Hurricanes to help push the Pats to the WHL Championship round for the first time since 1984.{{cite web |title=RECAP: Pats Win Eastern Conference Championship |url=http://reginapats.com/article/recap-pats-win-eastern-conference-championship |website=reginapats.com |accessdate=January 1, 2019 |date=April 30, 2017}} He ended the playoffs with 21 points in 22 games as the Pats ended up losing the WHL Championship Finals series to the Seattle Thunderbirds 4–2.{{cite web |title=Thunderbirds claim WHL Championship for first time in franchise's 40-year history |url=http://whl.ca/article/thunderbirds-claim-whl-championship-for-first-time-in-franchises-40-year-history |website=WHL.ca |accessdate=January 1, 2019 |date=May 15, 2017}} As a result of his breakout season, Wagner was selected to attend the Canadian National Junior Team camp prior to the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships but he failed to make the final roster.{{cite web |last1=Farrell |first1=Sean |title=Canada reduces WJC roster to 27 |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/canada-trims-world-junior-championship-roster/c-284676010 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=October 9, 2018 |date=December 13, 2016}}

=Professional=

On March 6, 2017, Wagner signed an entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings.{{cite web |title=Austin Wagner Signs Contract With LA Kings |url=http://reginapats.com/article/austin-wagner-signs-contract-with-la-kings |website=reginapats.com |accessdate=October 6, 2018 |date=March 6, 2017}} During the off-season prior to the 2017–18 season, Wagner required shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and dislocated bicep tendon.{{cite news |last1=Harder |first1=Greg |title=Pats' Wagner faces long road to recovery from shoulder surgery |url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/pats-wagner-faces-long-road-to-recovery-from-shoulder-surgery |accessdate=October 9, 2018 |publisher=Regina Leader Post |date=July 12, 2017}} After he was medically cleared to play, Wagner was assigned to the Kings American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Ontario Reign.{{cite web |title=KINGS PROSPECT AUSTIN WAGNER MEDICALLY CLEARED AND ASSIGNED TO REIGN |url=http://www.ontarioreign.com/news/detail/kings-prospect-austin-wagner-medically-cleared-and-assigned-to-reign |website=ontarioreign.com |accessdate=October 9, 2018 |date=December 2, 2017}} Upon joining the AHL for his first season, he scored his first professional goal on December 9, 2017, in a 4–2 loss to the Texas Stars.{{cite web |title=WAGNER NETS FIRST GOAL AND MOULSON NABS FIRST POINT IN 4-2 SETBACK IN TEXAS |url=https://www.ontarioreign.com/news/detail/wagner-nets-first-goal-and-moulson-nabs-first-point-in-4-2-setback-in-texas |website=ontarioreign.com |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |date=December 9, 2017}}

Wagner attended the Kings 2018 training camp, where he earned praise from teammates and coaches including Coach John Stevens who said, "He’s [Wagner] an explosive athlete, so he’s got extreme quickness and speed."{{cite news |last1=Morales |first1=Robert |title=Kings' Austin Wagner not short on speed or personality |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2018/09/27/kings-austin-wagner-not-short-on-speed-or-personality/ |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |work=Daily News |date=September 27, 2018}} Having made the Los Angeles Kings opening night roster for the 2018–19 season, Wagner made his NHL debut on October 5, 2018, in a 3–2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks.{{cite news |last1=Zupke |first1=Curtis |title=Kings' rally falls short against Sharks in 3-2 overtime loss in season opener |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/kings/la-sp-kings-sharks-20181005-story.html |accessdate=October 6, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 5, 2018}} After playing in seven games for the Kings, Wagner and teammate Sean Walker were reassigned to Ontario Reign.{{cite web |title=Rookies Austin Wagner and Sean Walker Assigned to Ontario Reign |url=https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/rookies-austin-wagner-and-sean-walker-assigned-to-ontario-reign/c-301406444 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=October 31, 2018 |date=October 31, 2018}} During the first two months of the season, Wagner played 11 games with the Kings and five with the Reign.{{cite news |last1=Harder |first1=Greg |title=Austin Wagner savours first NHL goal |url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/austin-wagner-savours-first-nhl-goal/ |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |publisher=Regina Leader Post |date=November 25, 2018}} Following a rash of injuries, Wagner scored his first career NHL goal on November 21, 2018, in a 7–3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1=Helene |title=Kings' standing on Thanksgiving doesn't bode well for their playoff chances |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/kings/la-sp-kings-avalanche-elliott-20181121-story.html |accessdate=November 25, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 21, 2018}} Although he missed four games due to a lower body injury, Wagner recorded 10 goals and seven assists within his first 50 games.{{cite news |last1=Morales |first1=Robert |title=Kings rookie Austin Wagner grades out well through his 1st 50 games |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2019/03/15/kings-rookie-austin-wagner-grades-out-well-through-his-1st-50-games/ |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |work=Daily News |date=March 15, 2019}} Prior to the trade deadline, he played alongside Nate Thompson, who he considered a mentor, before joining Trevor Lewis and Kyle Clifford as their winger.{{cite news |last1=Zupke |first1=Curtis |title=Austin Wagner recalls value of Nate Thompson's mentoring after shining in Kings' loss |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/kings/la-sp-kings-capitals-20190211-story.html |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 11, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305031100/https://www.latimes.com/sports/kings/la-sp-kings-capitals-20190211-story.html |archivedate=March 5, 2019}} At the end of the season, he was awarded the team's Jim Fox Community Service Award.{{cite web |title=2018-19 LA Kings Award Winners Announced |url=https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/2018-19-la-kings-award-winners-announced/c-306528910 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=April 8, 2019 |date=April 6, 2019}}

On September 1, 2020, as a restricted free agent, Wagner was signed by the Kings to a three-year, $3.4 million contract extension.{{cite web| url =https://www.tsn.ca/los-angeles-kings-sign-f-austin-wagner-to-three-year-deal-1.1517762 | title = Kings sign Austin Wagner to three-year deal | publisher = The Sports Network | date = September 1, 2020 | accessdate = September 1, 2020}}

In his sixth year within the Kings organization, Wagner continued his tenure in the AHL with the Ontario Reign for the 2022–23 season. He notched nine goals and 12 points through 24 games before he was dealt at the NHL trade deadline by the Kings to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations on March 3, 2023.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-acquire-austin-wagner-from-la-kings/c-341790850 | title = Blackhawks acquire Austin Wagner from Kings | publisher = Chicago Blackhawks | date = March 3, 2023 | accessdate = March 3, 2023}} He returned to the NHL with the Blackhawks, registering a goal and assist through 7 regular season games to complete the year.

As a free agent from the Blackhawks, Wagner was later signed to a professional tryout deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on August 30, 2023.{{citeweb| url = https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-sign-austin-wagner-pto | title = Penguins sign Austin Wagner to PTO | publisher = The Hockey News | date = August 30, 2023 | accessdate = August 30, 2023}} However, he ended up joining the IK Oskarshamn in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2023–24 season.{{cite tweet|user=SethRorabaug|number=1718752519768117418|title=Forward Austin Wagner, who was in the Penguins' training camp on a professional tryout, signs with IK Oskarshamn in the Swedish Hockey League.|date=October 29, 2023}}

Leaving Sweden and Oskarshamn at the conclusion of his contract, Wagner returned to North America and was named to the training camp roster of the Chicago Wolves in the AHL for the 2024–25 season.{{citeweb| url = https://www.chicagowolves.com/2024/10/01/wolves-open-2024-training-camp/ | title = Wolves open 2024 training camp | publisher = Chicago Wolves | date = October 1, 2024 | accessdate = October 1, 2024 }}

Personal life

In April 2020, Wagner, Adrian Kempe, Ben Hutton, and Blake Lizotte joined FaZe in an eSports gaming event to raise money for charities affected by COVID-19.{{cite web |last1=Silbert |first1=Jake |title=FaZe Clan Joins LA Kings for Collaborative Merch, Charity Tournament |url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/4/faze-clan-la-kings-collaboration-project-apparel-fight2fund-charity-tournament |website=hypebeast.com |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |date=April 1, 2020}}