First Nations forward leading Brock Badgers in scoring

By Sam Laskaris

ST. CATHARINES – A decision to switch universities after one year is paying off for both Holden Rogers and his Brock Badgers hockey team.

Rogers, a member of Sheguiandah First Nation on Manitoulin Island, is currently leading the St. Catharines-based Badgers in scoring.

He’s racked up 17 points (nine goals and eight assists) in Brock’s first 15 regular season contests.

Rogers had started his post-secondary career with the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold during the 2022-23 season. He appeared in 10 games with the Bold, earning one lone assist, before a concussion brought an end to his year.

Rogers, who grew up in Hamilton, then decided to transfer to Brock. Though he was allowed to practise with the Badgers last season, he had to sit out 365 days from his last game with the Bold before being eligible to suit up for the team.

That’s why he only appeared in two games with Brock during the 2023-24 campaign. He had two goals in those outings.

Rogers explained his decision to transfer schools following the Badgers’ 4-0 home loss to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Nov. 23.

“They reached out during recruitments,” he said. “I decided to go to TMU originally. And I ultimately decided to transfer to Brock, which is closer to home. I know a lot of the guys here. I know it’s a good hockey program. And that’s why I decided to come.”

Rogers, a 23-year-old centre, is not surprised to see himself atop the Badgers’ scoring race.

“I’ve put in so much time and effort into the game,” he said. “I always believed in myself. I always had the confidence. And I always knew what I was capable of, especially in this league. I work hard every summer and this was the goal, to be in the position that I am now. I’m super grateful that I am.”

Rogers added others also deserve credit for his play thus far this season.

“I’ve got super coaches and amazing teammates,” he said. “Everyone has helped me be the guy I am out there. I can’t thank everyone around me enough.”

Badgers’ head coach TJ Manastersky is thrilled with the contributions Rogers has been making.

“He’s just been a great spark,” he said. “I’m really happy and proud of him because it’s been kind of a longer road for him to get to this point.

“He had to grind through a year of just practising, at the same time coming back from some health issues. He’s just such a determined guy and really passionate about the game. And he believes in himself.”

Manastersky isn’t surprised either that Rogers is the club’s top point-getter.

“When he practised last year, you could see the skill-set, you could see his determination,” he said. “He just needed a bit of a runway to get going. Once he did, he found his points.”

Rogers, a third-year sport management student, is expected to graduate from Brock with his degree in April of 2026. And then he’d like to play pro hockey in Germany. His mother has German ancestry.

“I’m working on getting my passport figured out right now,” Rogers said. “It’s a long process. I’ll finish this year and I’ll finish next year here at Brock. And then that’s the goal, is to leave for Germany.”

Once he obtains his German citizenship, Rogers would not be considered an import. European pro leagues have limits on the number of North American or import players they can have on their rosters.

Rogers added he would also welcome the opportunity to represent Germany in international competitions.

“That’s definitely something that has crossed my mind,” he said. “I’m not too sure how that would work, what tournaments they would have. But maybe one day, I could get onto the national stage. As long as I keep grinding and pushing, I think I’m capable of anything.”