By Tim Schmitt
LEWISTON — As a freshman, Kyle Rogers saw spot duty as a third-line forward on the Niagara University men’s hockey team. He admitted Monday that between his lack of playing time and being passed over for the 2004 draft, he never envisioned his name on the back of a National Hockey League jersey.
Maybe that’s why the Erie, Pa., native wouldn’t let it out of his sights when he saw “Rogers 29” on a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform Sunday, a day after officially signing a two-year entry level deal with the team.
“When I saw it ... I wouldn’t let go of it,” Rogers said with a smile at a Dwyer Arena press conference.
And Rogers isn’t the only Niagara player making waves at the next level — senior Matt Caruana is expected to sign a deal with the Anaheim Ducks today, although terms of that deal are still unknown. Caruana’s signing will mark the third Niagara player to sign a pro contract in six weeks. Just three NU players — Greg Gardner (2000), Matt Ryan (’03) and Sean Bentivoglio (’07) — had inked pro deals.
For Rogers, the contract is the culmination of a 12-month cycle that started after last year’s College Hockey America loss to Alabama-Huntsville. At that time, Rogers said Niagara coach Dave Burkholder approached him about making a stronger commitment to fitness, with the potential for bigger chunks of ice time in the future.
Rogers bought into the idea, spending most of the summer working with a trainer in Erie. He returned a different player and produced better stats than the previous two seasons combined. Rogers came into his junior year with eight goals and nine assists, but added 10 goals and 13 assists this season as the Purple Eagles rolled to their first CHA Tournament title in four years.
“(Burkholder) said he saw the opportunity to move up the next level if I worked a little bit harder,” Rogers said. “I worked extra hard in the summer.”
And Rogers duplicated that effort once the season started, quickly finding a promotion to the first line after rattling opponents with his physical style of play.
Toronto scouts noticed Rogers’ play, even if his stats weren’t gaudy. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound forward fits the body type NHL scouts are looking for, and Rogers’ tenacity could make him a pro. He’ll start with Toronto’s American Hockey League affiliate, maybe as early as Wednesday, when the Marlies are at Manitoba. He was introduced to the rest of the roster on Sunday. Brad Lynn, an assistant to the general manager, was on hand to represent the Maple Leafs.
For Burkholder, the signing capped a tremendous week, one that included a trip the NCAA Tournament. The Niagara coach lauded Rogers for his work ethic.
“It’s very gratifying as a coaching staff. It speaks to what we’re doing as a hockey program,” Burkholder said, as assistants Gardner and Jerry Forton stood nearby. “It’s a tremendous story to see where Kyle was and where he’s come.”
Contact Group Sports Editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
