Even while on the shelf, Burnaby’s Massimo Rizzo is attracting plenty of attention.
The slick centre for the Penticton Vees has garnered his share of interest over the past year, including signing a full-ride scholarship for next year with the University of North Dakota.
Although he’s still recovering from an injury and has yet to play a game this season, the 17-year-old was among a list of B.C. Hockey League players who are on the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Players to Watch list, released earlier this week.
Rizzo was one of two players posted on the list’s B skaters category, considered as possible second-or third-round selections for the 2019 NHL Draft, which will be hosted by Vancouver next June.
In his inaugural year with the Vees, the Burnaby Winter Club product tallied 13 goals and 26 assists, and added four goals and six helpers in 11 playoff games.
In May, he was chosen by the coaching staff as team captain.
The top junior A player on the list is potential first-round selection Alex Newhook of the Victoria Grizzlies, posted on the A skaters list.
