The Hunt Reloads: Wolves Secure Three Franchise Prospects
- James Karr
- Dec 5, 2025
- 2 min read
The West Chester Wolves continue to build the future of the franchise, locking in three major young talents with a trio of tenders across the NCDC and USPHL Premier levels this week.
The Wolves used two NCDC THF tenders on elite academy standouts:
Sam Rochette (U16) — The 16-year-old Québec native has been an offensive force since arriving in West Chester. Standing 6'0" 175 lbs with high-end playmaking ability, Rochette has produced 35 points in 19 games for the U16 team while already earning a look in the NCDC, where he posted two assists in his debut. His creativity, pace,hockey-IQ and ability to manipulate defenders make him one of the top rising young forwards in the Wolves pipeline.
Cooper Rodgers (U18, Captain) — At 6'3", 190 lbs, right-shot forward Cooper Rodgers headlines the Wolves’ U18 leadership group and brings a great blend of size, mobility,scoring touch, and physicality. The Phoenixville-born forward has generated strong production across every league he’s touched — highlighted by a breakout 28-point season last year in 18U AAA. Rodgers brings maturity, compete, and a north-south power forward type game that projects cleanly to the NCDC level.
Additionally, the Wolves secured one NCDC Premier tender:
Ryunosuke Shirozu (Premier) — A dynamic Japanese defenseman with international experience, Ryu has been a difference-maker on the Wolves Premier blue line this season. With 25 points in 19 games, plus previous NCDC experience and multiple IIHF World Championship appearances for Team Japan, Shirozu offers elite puck-moving ability, offensive production, and poise under pressure. His ceiling continues to rise inside the Wolves system.
These tenders represent a key milestone in the Wolves' commitment to development inside the organization. Rochette, Rodgers, and Shirozu each embody the standard of compete, work ethic, character, pace, and high-end ability that the Wolves demand as the program continues its rise in the USPHL structure.
The hunt for the future starts now — and the next wave is already here.
