Massimo Rizzo, originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 7th round (216th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, has been traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Rizzo, out of Burnaby, BC, Canada, is attending Denver College and is off to a hot start. He already has a pretty solid resume, NCAA National Champion (2022), NCHC Academic All-Conference Team (2021-22), NCHC Rookie of the Month (October 2021), NCHC Rookie of the Week (Oct. 11, 2021), Finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year (2021-22), and an All-American for the Denver Pioneers, in the same year the team won the NCAA National Championship.
Massimo Rizzo Player Profile:
Position: Center
Class: Junior
Height: 5’11
Weight: 175 Ibs
Birthdate: 6/13/2001
Birth Place: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Rizzo, was and still is a young bright talent. He played for Burnaby Winter Club U15 A1 in the PCBHL, where he hit triple digits in his first year. Scoring 60 goals and 77 assists for 137 points across 61 games in 2015-16. Before stepping on the ice in Denver, Rizzo played U18 AAA hockey and in the BCHL for the Coquitlam Express and Chilliwack Chiefs between 2015-2018. However, he never actually suited up for a game as a Chief. Unlike the Coquitlam Express, where he tallied 19 goals and 25 assists for a total of 44 points in 42 games played.
In just his second year in College he improved off of a strong rookie season. Leading Denver in points, scoring 17 goals with 29 assists and 46 points in 38 games. In 2022-23 he had a lot of improvement, despite already finishing on the podium among Denver freshmen with 36 points (12g/24a). This past season lowered his penalties, increased shot totals, more ice time on the power play, and scored more, obviously.
With two seasons at Denver College now under his belt, playing in 77 games, accumulating 29 goals, 53 assists, and 82 points in total. It is clear that scoring is no issue for Rizzo. However, it is important to note that his skating is what needs work. He is a talented forward with great hands, a very skilled player but he isn’t the strongest skater. With that in mind, he attended the Carolina Hurricanes prospect camp in 2022, where he was able to put his skill on display and work on his skating abilities. With great hands and solid hockey IQ on both sides of the puck, there is a lot to like, especially with such an upside still at the age of 22. The Philadelphia Flyers now retain the right to sign him until August 15th, 2024, which should be finalized in the coming weeks.
Coming into college hockey, players usually start off slow and build off their first years. But he was everything but that in his first year. Becoming a big factor in the best college program in the country throughout last season, so producing at the level he did in his freshman year was unexpected. 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points in 39 games makes for a pretty impressive first season on the best team in the country. Making him a finalist for Rookie of the Year in 2021-22.
Massimo Rizzo and former Denver College teammate and current Phantom, Bobby Brink. The two played together in Denver during Rizzo’s rookie season, and both helped carry the Pioneers to a championship.
In their championship year, Denver had a productive regular season along with the postseason success. The Pioneers finished with an impressive 31-9-1 record, continuing their strong play throughout the postseason. Rizzo, had 7 points in the NCAA playoffs, he also scored one of a handful goals in the third period for Denver, which opened up the floodgates. The Pioneers were down 1-0 going into the 3rd period but after scoring five straight in the final twenty-minutes of play, Denver Hockey captured their ninth NCAA National Championship.
Being a part of organization could be good for Rizzo. The Hurricanes never really had a set plan for the 22-year-old and it looked like GM Danny Briere might; after all the trouble he went through to acquire him and a 5th round 2025 draft pick. This goes both ways, as the Flyers closed the chapter Kase. Nonetheless, Rizzo was definitely a solid pickup, with tons of upside and the odds of becoming a good third line center or a low second liner.
brotherlypuck.com 