Brooks Rogowski- 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

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Brooks Rogowski

2025-26 Team: Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Date of Birth: June 28, 2008
Place of Birth: Brighton, Michigan, USA
Ht: 6-foot-6 Wt: 231 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Center
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

NHL Central Scouting (Mid-Term): 14th (among NA skaters)
Baracchini’s March Top 96 (THW): 35th
Forbes’ Top 64 February Rankings (THW): 56th
Reimer’s March Top 64 (THW): 56th
Craig Button (TSN): 58th
Daily Faceoff: 41st
Sam Cosentino (Sportsnet): 31st
SMAHT Scouting: 40th

Brooks Rogowski is very hard to miss when he is on the ice with his size (6-foot-6), and he has the game to keep eyes on him throughout his shift. He is a player who took a bit of an unconventional route to becoming a full-fledged OHL player, working his way up from high school hockey in Michigan (Detroit Catholic Central) to being drafted by the Oshawa Generals in the second round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft. When Rogowski is on the ice, one of the first things you notice is how well he skates for a player his size. He is a smooth skater and can maneuver well with the puck on his stick, but at his size, he will need to work on first-step quickness to help him get going a bit better at the next level.

Brooks Rogowski Oshawa Generals
Brooks Rogowski Oshawa Generals (Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)

When Rogowski is fully engaged on the ice, he has the ability to be a game-changer, whether it is at the offensive or defensive end. Offensively, he uses his size and reach to shield off opponents and work himself into better positions. He does this very well in transition, which helps him get a shot off, and he has no issue firing the puck. This season he had a high shot rate (137 shots compared to 98 last season), and has the ability to bury as well. With his size, he is unsurprisingly a strong net-front presence in the offensive zone and has no problem parking out in front of the net to be either a screen or driving for a rebound opportunity. Taking on a bigger role this season with the Generals, he has also shown that he can be a strong power-play player.

Rogowski’s overall offensive game is strong and simplistic, but still in the developmental stages. He shows plenty of flashes of being a player who can mix goal-scoring and playmaking ability on top of a power-forward style of play. He has plenty of upside and potential in his game for NHL organizations to like a lot.

Related: THW’s 2026 NHL Draft Guide

On the defensive side of the game, Rogowski plays a sound, responsible game from his center spot and supports his defensemen well, thanks to his reach. He was one of the Generals’ better penalty killers this season thanks to his defensive game. Where his game does lack, though, is the intensity with which he plays at times. He tends to play a bit more relaxed and occasionally finds himself either out of position or a step behind on plays. He also does not use his size as much as some would think, but when he does, he makes sure his opponents think twice about coming his way with the puck on their stick, as he is a heavy hitter.

Other THW Draft Profiles

Brooks Rogowski- NHL Draft Projection

Given the widespread views on Rogowski’s ranking, it might take an organization looking at the long-term development he will have in front of him. As a project-type prospect (ala Dean Letourneau with the Boston Bruins), he is more likely to be picked in the top part of the second round. As a commit to Michigan State University, he will have plenty of time and opportunity to take his game to another level and round out as a complete player.

Quotables

“He isn’t a burner, but he gets where he needs to go, plays through contact, and makes enough plays to keep possessions alive. Compared to some of the other big forwards in this range, he stands out for combining size, puck skill, and awareness, but I am worried that he may fade into the background offensively as he moves up in leagues as he develops.”- Austin Garret, SMAHT Scouting

“At 6-foot-7 and 227 pounds, it’s really, really, really difficult to miss Rogowski out there. He’s simply massive and he does a lot to remind you that every time he hits the ice. The Oshawa Generals forwards hit hard, but he doesn’t play an overwhelmingly physical game. Instead, he lets his hands and solid mobility do the talking.”- Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Strengths

  • For his size, he skates well and is a mobile player
  • Strong puck-handling skills
  • Uses his size and reach at both ends of the ice
  • Responsible player in the defensive zone
  • He has zero issue firing the puck and took on a bigger role in the offensive zone this season
  • Heavy hitter when he uses his body
  • Strong and accurate shot

Under Construction/ Improvements to Make

  • Intensity lacks at times
  • First step, skating-wise, needs some improvement to help him get a quicker first move
  • At 6-foot-6, he does not throw his body around as much as expected. Learning how to use his body will be key to carving out a bigger role at the next level.
  • Still a bit of a raw talent: refining his skills and overall game will help him become an even more well-rounded player.

NHL Potential

Rogowski’s size and overall skill set at this point already make him a player who can become an NHL power forward. With further development to his game, he could turn into a middle-six player who can provide secondary scoring in a non-play-driving role.

Risk- Reward Analysis

Risk: 3/5 Reward: 4/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense: 7/10 Defense: 6/10

Awards/Achievements

  • 2024 Michigan High School Dream Team
  • 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold Medal (United States)
  • 2025 CHL/USA Top Prospects Challenge (Did not play due to injury)
  • 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game

Brooks Rogowski Stats

Videos

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