The big centre will be attractive to NHL teams around the end of the first round.
There are now just two days until the 2026 NHL draft, and with all the movement around the league, things are really starting to get interesting ahead of this weekend's event.
Today's profile is on Oshawa's American centre Brooks Rogowski, a big and powerful player who's climbed into first round consideration after a strong year.
Rogowski, 18, had 42 (15+27) points in 46 games this past season with the Generals, his second with the team.
Brooks Rogowski's size and power make him an attractive choice near the end of the first round of this year's draft. (Photo: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)The 6-foot-7 centre was a second-round pick in the 2024 OHL draft after playing in his native Michigan as a youth player.
He made the jump over to major junior immediately, posting a respectable 11-goal, 23-point rookie campaign in a depth role on a loaded Oshawa roster.
Then, as the Generals went through a ton of roster turnover after back-to-back runs to the OHL championship series, Rogowski's role increased, and he played a much bigger role on a rebuilding lineup this past season.
His offence improved, and all of a sudden a massive, power centre with the ability to score at a decent level really jumped into the minds of NHL scouts.
While he's not the most dynamic player ever, Rogowski uses his size and stature very well. He protects the puck very well, can be a nightmare to deal with below the hashmarks, and can take up a ton of space in front of the net.
Defensively, the Brighton, MI, native does his job defensively, too. He's able to use his size and long stick to break up plays, and his puck-protecting ability helps his team all over the ice.
Internationally, Rogowski has represented the U.S. at the U18 stage at both the worlds and the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He put up three assists in four games at last month's U18 worlds in a supportive centre role.
What keeps Rogowski as more of a back-end of round one, or start of round two type of prospect falls around what his perceived upside at the NHL level may be.
He projects as more of a third-line centre in an ideal world, someone who can contribute a bit of offence, but is mostly used as a puck-protecting, big depth forward who's useful on the forecheck.
Unless he really explodes offensively next season before heading to Michigan State of the NCAA in 2027-28, it's not likely he'll be seen as a true top-six option at the top level.
But, there's so much value in Rogowski's profile as quality depth in a weaker draft class that he's still seen as a high-end prospect this year. Additionally, bigger players usually have longer development curves, and with his 18th birthday coming the day this post is published, he's one of the younger players available for selection this year.
Overall, Rogowski provides a very strong base of talent and size with a good skillset at a premium position, and that's always appreciated this time of year.
Never want to miss out on any OHL news? Make sure to bookmark THN's OHL site.
Also follow @roryyarthur on X/Twitter for more updates.
Read more
