Brooks Rogowski of Brighton was a potential first-round NHL draft pick, but had to get a good night’s sleep and return to KeyBank Center in Buffalo in hopes of hearing his name called.
He didn’t have to wait much longer.
Rogowski was the first pick of the second round, going 33rd overall to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, June 27 about 13 hours after the first round ended the previous night.
In an area which cranks out hockey talent, no player from Livingston County has been selected higher in the NHL Draft than Rogowski.
Andy Hilbert of Howell was chosen 37th overall as a second-round pick of Boston in 2000. He went on to play 307 NHL games. Jon Merrill of Brighton was taken 38th overall as a second-round pick by New Jersey in 2010. He played 682 NHL games.
The last player from the county to be selected in the NHL draft was former Brighton High School goalie Logan Neaton, who was a fifth-round pick (144th overall) of Winnipeg in 2019.
Rogowski, a 6-foot-6, 231-pound forward, entered the draft ranked No. 21 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
He is also the highest-drafted former Michigan high school player. Rogowski played as a freshman and sophomore at Detroit Catholic Central, scoring 21 goals and 26 assists in 30 games in 2023-24.
He played the last two seasons for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League after being selected in the second round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft. His draft stock soared after he compiled 15 goals and 27 assists in 42 games last season.
Only the top couple picks in any given NHL Draft go straight to the league. Rogowski is expected to return to Oshawa for one more season before heading to Michigan State University.
Here is NHL Central Scouting’s breakdown of Rogowski: “A big 6-foot-7 center who does the little things well down the middle. Utilizes his excellent size and reach asset and is hard to contain. Has a strong net-front game and effective puck protection game down low. He plays the game with good habits. Skates and gets around really well for his stature, able to arrive on time on plays. Playing in all situations. A player that always brings his work boots and rarely loses a puck battle. A solid pro prospect with a high ceiling.”
Rogowski once considered baseball as his path to athletic success. His father, Casey, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. His uncle Ryan, who recently coached Detroit Catholic Central to a state baseball championship, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Brooks Rogowski of Brighton taken in second round of NHL Draft
Reporting by Bill Khan, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Bill Khan, Livingston Daily | USA TODAY Network
