Looking ahead: a high-skill forward for the 2011 recruit class

BU has added a forward, who according one scout ““oozes offensive skills,” to its 2011 recruit class. U.S. Hockey Report says that Evan Rodrigues, a 5’10”, 170 right wing from the Georgetown Raiders (OPJHL), has committed to BU for next season.

Last month, Rodrigues (photo by Izak Westgat) played in the World Junior A Challenge where he was he was the top scorer for Canada East and co-leader overall in the World Junior A Challenge (3-4-7 in five games). Canada East, whose roster also included 2012 BU recruit Robert Polesello (who had three assists for Vaughan on Monday), lost in the tournament final to Team USA and fellow 2011 recruit Cason Hohmann. Rodrigues was named to the tournament all-star team.

Two nights ago, playing in the CJHL Top Prospects tournament in Dauphin, Manitoba, Rodrigues, who was one of only seven OJHL players on NHL Central Scouting’s players to watch list, scored a goal and an assist in Team East’s 7-1 win. Last night, he was named Team East's player of the game in a 2-1 shootout win.

In Rodrigues’ first Junior A season, he had 20 goals and added 31 assists in 56 games played. This year's he’s tallied12-21-33 line in 20 games and has been on the score sheet in 16 games.

An OJHL.com feature traces his career, spent primarily in the Toronto Marlies organization, where he won “every championship (Video) his team played from atom to midget, including the OHF Atom ‘AAA’ title and the All-Ontario Peewee and Bantam Championships.” through his first season with the Raiders.”

USHR reports:

Rodrigues has really good hands, a high skill level, is excellent on the power play, and has a lot of offensive upside – just very good natural offensive instincts. He’s a good skater, though not a waterbug type. A comparable player on the current BU squad would be Sahir Gill, in that he’s not necessarily the type that NHL guys get excited over, but projects to be a fine college player.

Michigan and Notre Dame were other schools seeking Rodrigues’ verbal.

• The Daily Free Press recaps last night’s 5-4 win against Northeastern.
• USCHO grades the Hockey East teams as the semester break approaches.
• BU’s next opponent is Rensallear in a Saturday afternoon game (3:30 p.m. start) that will air on the NHL Network. The Troy Record previews the matchup between the Terriers and Engineers.