Rossi making case for NHL draft
The National Hockey League has yet to settle on a site for the 2020 draft.
So Marco Rossi doesn’t know where he’s going that weekend, only that he and his family will be there … with really good seats.
The Austrian magician continued his torrid pace for the Ottawa 67’s, scoring once against the Erie Otters on Sunday to extend his goal-scoring streak to five games.
Rossi worked some magic in the second period, producing a highlight-reel goal to give the 67’s a 3-2 lead on their way to a 5-3 victory.
“I’ve often said about players: There’s the good ones and there’s the great ones and then there’s the world-class ones,” 67’s head coach André Tourigny said. “Marco is world-class. He’s through the roof.
“His work ethic is unbelievable. He wants to be that good. And he’s fun to coach.”
Some mock drafts have the 17-year-old Rossi likely to go in the top five of the 2020 NHL draft. Others say top 10. Some even say just outside the top 10. What do they really know 20 months out, though?
All those mock drafts were done before Rossi began taking the Ontario Hockey League by storm.
“Marco is real quick when the play is in close,” Tourigny said. “He must get quicker in (open ice) and he will.
“When you watch all the best players, well those are the kinds of things Marco can do.
“I will make one prediction for 2020. Marco won’t have to sit on his hands for long. I won’t be surprised if he’s a top-10 pick. I won’t be surprised if he’s even higher.”