Sports
Rossmoor Hockey Player May Go in the First Round of Friday's NHL Draft
Draft handicappers hold Rossmoor's Rocco Grimaldi in high esteem for his skating ability and work ethic.
A young hockey player from Rossmoor is anticipated to go high in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft this weekend.
Rocco Grimaldi, 18, is expected to be drafted in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on Friday. By hockey standards Grimaldi is small at 5’ 6” and just over 166 lbs., but he had a big year with 12 goals and a gold medal for Team USA in the International Ice Hockey Federation under-18 championship tournament.
The Canadian Press describes Grimaldi as an “explosive skater” known for his work ethic and as a potential “sleeper” in this week’s draft. Draft handicappers are predicting that Grimaldi, a center, could be drafted anywhere from 10th to 37th overall. International Scouting Services ranks him as 15th overall in the draft.
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Grimaldi served as captain on the under 17 Team USA in 2009-2010, and, according to USA Hockey, he has committed to play hockey next year for the University of North Dakota.
The first round of the NHL draft will take place at 4 p.m. Friday in St. Paul, Minn. Subsequent rounds of the draft will be held on Saturday.
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