Rogowski Comes Back to Oshawa with Unfinished Business
Natalie Shaver / OHL Images
After being selected 33rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2026 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Brooks Rogowski could have easily looked ahead.
Instead, he’s coming back to Oshawa.
The Canucks second-round pick is entering his third Ontario Hockey League season with the Generals.
After an injury interrupted his sophomore campaign, Rogowski is determined to return healthy and establish himself as a bigger offensive contributor while embracing a leadership role in Oshawa.
“You kind of have some unfinished business with a team that truly struggled last year, and you want to come back and give them a positive last year, leave the jersey better than you found it,” Rogowski said.
Last season, the 6-foot-7 power forward recorded 15 goals and 42 points in 46 games. He also added three assists in four games with Team USA at the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship.
Rogowski wants to become more dangerous with the puck and, perhaps most importantly, change the perception of his game.
“Being the third year in the league, being a leader on this team, I think for me it’s just having that confidence with the puck,” he said.
“This season it’s big for me to develop with the puck and show more confidence with the puck and try to get out of the stereotype a bit, but still play that way in a way.”
That development is one of the reasons Rogowski opted to return to the OHL rather than immediately head to Michigan State, where he has an NCAA commitment.
For Rogowski, the opportunity to play meaningful minutes, contribute on both special teams and take on a leadership role in Oshawa was too valuable to pass up.
“The time on the ice, the puck touches, the power play, the penalty killing, being a leader on the team, it’s going to benefit me more in the long run than going to Michigan State,” he said.
It’s a decision that could pay dividends for both Rogowski and the Generals.
After spending the summer at Vancouver Canucks development camp, Rogowski will soon head back to the organization’s NHL training camp. But before he gets there, he’s focused on making sure he’s ready.
“I don’t want to go there and make a poor impact and look not ready,” he said.
That means getting his conditioning back, getting comfortable with the puck and rebuilding the confidence that was disrupted by injury.
Early preseason results suggest he’s heading in the right direction.
As one of Oshawa’s returning leaders, Rogowski is also beginning to take on a mentorship role.
That includes helping first overall OHL pick Kane Cloutier navigate the pressure that comes with entering the league as one of its most highly anticipated young players.
Rogowski’s message to Cloutier is don't let the expectations become overwhelming.
“He’s in a really tough spot with a lot of expectations and pressure,” Rogowski said. “My big message for him is just to take it in stride, kind of try to chew everything out, take everything by the day and not do too much with it.”
Rogowski has already been impressed with Cloutier in the preseason and believes the young centre will become an important piece of the Generals.
“I think he’s going to have a tremendous season and be a huge piece for us,” Rogowski said.
That mentorship is another indication of how Rogowski’s role has changed.
He returns to Oshawa no longer simply as a young player trying to establish himself, but as an NHL draft pick expected to help lead the way.
The Canucks have already shown they believe in his potential.
Now Rogowski wants to show what he can do with the opportunity.
For a player who admits he has unfinished business in Oshawa, this season could be the one that changes the way he is viewed, both in the OHL and within the Vancouver organization.
Interview conducted by Brandon Caputo.
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