Hauger made his debut for Stabæk's first-team against Odd Grenland on 21 April 2003, when he replaced Tryggvi Guðmundsson as a substitute in the 78th minute. The next season, Hauger made 16 appearances for Stabæk, and when the team was relegated from Tippeligaen other Norwegian clubs contacted Stabæk's director of sports, Jan-Erik Aalbu and wanted to sign the youngster. Hauger stayed with Stabæk in the First Division and was one of the best players at the second tier when the club won promotion back to Tippeligaen in the 2005 season.