HAVERHILL, MA -- Kevin Rodgers, a defenseman for the Valley Jr. Warriors, has committed to Western New England for the Fall of 2018. The '97 just finished his third and final season of junior hockey, spending all of them with the Warriors organization. Rodgers spent the entire 2015-16 season and half of the 2016-17 season developing on the Warriors' Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP) team. Near the midway point last year, he then earned the call-up to the big club, and spent a similar amount of time at the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) level. All in all, Rodgers finishes with 41 points in 66 EHLP games, and 23 points in 74 EHL games.
"He always seems to be effective on the ice and gets the job done,” said Warriors head coach and general manager Andy Heinze. “He’s a tough kid, and he really helped us over the past three years.”
Rodgers is one of two EHL players from 2017-18 season, who will be joining the Golden Bears this Fall. Damien Dangueuger of the Boston Jr. Rangers, made his commitment to WNE back in February. In total, the Golden Bears have now brought in 17 players from the EHL since the league was formed back in 2013. Rodgers took some time to reflect and show his appreciation.
"I came into the league three years ago and worked my way up from the bottom to the top and had unbelievable coaches who saw my potential and really wanted to develop me into the player I am today," said Rodgers. "Coach Tabb and Coach Heinze really put the time and effort in with me and helped me mature as a player”
Learn more about the Valley Jr. Warriors on the team's official website, and check out the full list of 2018 NCAA Commitments.
Photo Credit - Snapshot Photography