North Huntingdon’s Austen Swankler helps Sioux Falls to USHL championship

Jonathan Bombulie | Monday, May 20, 2019 7:00 a.m.

Staff | Tribune-Review

North Huntingdon native Austen Swankler competes for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL.

North Huntingdon native Austen Swankler’s first season in the USHL ended with a championship celebration.

Swankler, 17, and his Sioux Falls Stampede teammates marched through the USHL playoffs, going 11-1 and claiming the team’s third championship with a 5-1 victory over Chicago on Friday night. Sioux Falls recorded three-game sweeps in the finals and conference finals. Its only loss came in Game 2 of the second round.

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/sUzbepeImU

— Austen Swankler (@Aswank21) May 20, 2019

In the clinching game, Swankler set up Anthony Romano for a first-period goal that gave Sioux Falls the lead for good. In 10 playoff games, Swankler had two goals and an assist, including the four-overtime game-winner in the longest game in USHL history in the first round against Sioux City.

Swankler, a 6-foot forward, was traded to Sioux Falls by Waterloo in November. He had 12 goals and 45 points in 59 games in the regular season.