Scooter Vaughan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Scooter Vaughan
Vaughan with the Chicago Wolves in 2015
Born	(1989-04-08) April 8, 1989 (age 36) Placentia, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	194 lb (88 kg; 13 st 12 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Chicago Wolves Bridgeport Sound Tigers
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2011–2018

Charles "Scooter" Vaughan (born April 8, 1989) is a former American professional ice hockey player. He played as a winger for teams like the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Chicago Wolves. These teams are part of the American Hockey League (AHL), which is a major league for hockey players hoping to reach the NHL. Scooter started his hockey journey as a defenceman, a player who helps protect the goal. Later, when he was in college at the University of Michigan, he changed his position to a forward, who focuses on scoring goals.

Scooter Vaughan's Hockey Journey

Starting Out in Amateur Hockey

Scooter Vaughan playing for the University of Michigan in a famous outdoor game called The Big Chill at the Big House.

Scooter Vaughan grew up in California. He first played roller hockey before switching to ice hockey when he was nine years old. To play at a higher level, Scooter moved from California to Michigan during high school. There, he joined the Honeybaked Hockey Club.

After high school, he played one year with the St. Louis Bandits in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). While with the Bandits, Scooter helped his team win the 2006–07 Robertson Cup. He was also named to the NAHL's All-Rookie team, which means he was one of the best new players in the league.

College Hockey at Michigan

Scooter then went on to play college hockey for the University of Michigan. In his first year, he played in 33 games and helped his team with four points. A point in hockey is either a goal or an assist. He even got his first assist in his very first college game! After this season, he received an award for his good grades and sports performance.

In his second year, he continued to play well, helping the Wolverines get into the NCAA Tournament. This is a big competition for college teams. During his third year, Scooter made a big change. He switched from playing defense to playing forward. This year, he scored his first college goal and had a career-high six points.

His final year at Michigan was his best. Playing as a forward, he set new personal records for games played, goals, assists, and total points. He helped his team become champions of their league, the CCHA. He also received more awards for his hard work both on the ice and in his studies.

Playing Professional Hockey

After college, Scooter tried out for the San Jose Sharks, an NHL team. He didn't make the team, and he also broke his arm, which needed time to heal.

Later, in 2011, Scooter signed his first professional contract with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL. The ECHL is another professional hockey league. After playing for the Nailers, he joined the South Carolina Stingrays for the 2012–13 season. While with the Stingrays, Scooter won the Jerry Zucker Community Service Award in 2013. This award is given to players who do great work helping their community.

In December 2013, Scooter got a chance to play in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The AHL is a step up from the ECHL. He scored his first AHL goal soon after joining the team. Because he played so well, the Sound Tigers offered him a full contract for the next season. He showed he could play both defense and forward for the team.

After playing for the Sound Tigers, Scooter signed with the Chicago Wolves for the 2015–16 season. He scored a goal in his very first game with the Wolves! He continued to play for the Wolves for several seasons. In 2017, he played his 250th AHL game, which is a big milestone for a hockey player. He also played in his first Calder Cup playoff game, which is the championship tournament for the AHL.

In 2017, Scooter was invited to the training camp for a new NHL team, the Vegas Golden Knights. However, he rejoined the Wolves for their season. At the end of the 2017–18 season, Scooter won the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award. This award is given to the AHL player who shows the most dedication to community service. He was recognized as the AHL's Man of the Year for his amazing work helping others.

Scooter Vaughan became a free agent after the 2017–18 season, meaning he was no longer under contract with a team.

Scooter's Life Off the Ice

Scooter Vaughan is an only child. His dad, Charles "Skip" Vaughan, works in marketing, and his mom, Orian Southall, is a lawyer.

Growing up, Scooter learned to play the piano. He also taught himself how to play the guitar. When he was playing for the Wheeling Nailers, he and a teammate, Zack Torquato, often played guitar together.

Scooter is also very creative and community-minded. In 2012, he started a project on Kickstarter, a website where people can raise money for new ideas. He worked with a childhood friend to create a new type of headphone. He also started a charity called Kids For Camps. This charity helps provide money for kids from families with lower incomes to go to sports or arts camps. It shows how much he cares about helping young people.

Awards and Honours