He's right at home on the ice and wraps more gifts than Santa Claus, but June 27 is the date that's marked on Adam Rockwood's calendar.
The nifty Coquitlam Express centre is one of nine B.C. Hockey League players listed by NHL Central Scouting in advance of the 2014 NHL entry draft set for June 27 and 28 in Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Centre.
"It was definitely a goal of mine to at least get drafted this year. That's a good first step but there's still a long way to go," said the 18-year-old Coquitlam product.
Rockwood currently sits in the top-10 for BCHL scoring and his 26 assists are the most in the league.
"His creativity offensively is just unreal. His vision is second to none," said Express head coach Barry Wolff. "There's not too many guys around who have his play-making ability."
Rockwood said he's always looked to pass first going back to his days playing out of the North Shore Winter Club.
"I think it's to a fault sometimes," said the Express' top rookie award winner for 2012/13. "I definitely have to look to shoot more. I'm trying to incorporate that into my game a little more but I've always been a set-up guy."
Rockwood's play-making talents were on display in his final year of midget where he racked up 16 goals and 70 assists with the Vancouver NE Chiefs. He notched six goals and 20 assists in 46 games with the Express last year.
Rockwood's already surpassed that point total this year, thanks in large part to the chemistry he's developed with Corey Mackin who leads BCHL rookies with 15 goals and 12 assists.
"[Mackin] found at the beginning of the year to just bounce the puck off me and I bounce the puck off him and he just kind of goes to the net with his stick on the ice," said Rockwood. "I like working the corners with him and he's really tricky with his stick and so am I."
That quick start brought an invite to the Canada West selection camp for the 2013 World Junior A Challenge. While Rockwood didn't make the final squad, he did suit up for Canada West at the CJHL Prospects Showcase in Yarmouth, N.S. where he notched a pair of assists.
"I thought it was unfortunate I didn't make the team but I went there and had a pretty good time," said the 5' 10" 175-pounder.
While his favourite player is Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks, Rockwood said his style best compares to the Canucks' Henrik Sedin.
"I have similar stats and I feel like he kind of waits and sets up for the perfect shot and not just shoot right away," he said. "He has his brother to go to and I always try and find a linemate to play off like Mackin."
The Central Scouting list rated all the BCHL prospects as fourth-round picks or lower and also included Coquitlam's Jeff Wight who plays for the Merritt Centennials.
Rockwood will be on the ice tonight when the Express host the Penticton Vees at 7 p.m. Friday's game will be dedicated to the Coquitlam Comets, the original local junior franchise, and their longtime owner and general manager Sandy Michie.
